PEIStriking water and sewer workers in Charlottetown did not have their rights compromised or interfered with by their employer, a P.E.I. Supreme Court Justice says.Members of CUPE Local 830 have been on strike since the end of JulyNicola MacLeod · CBC News · Posted: Sep 22, 2025 5:33 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoP.E.I. Supreme Court won’t get involved in Charlottetown’s ongoing water strikeStriking water and sewer workers in Charlottetown have had their request for an injunction against the city denied by P.E.I.’s Supreme Court. The union alleged the city was trying to intimidate workers and was using the police to do it. But a judge says he didn’t find any evidence of that. CBC’s Nicola MacLeod reports.Striking water and sewer workers in Charlottetown did not have their rights compromised or interfered with by their employer, a P.E.I. Supreme Court Justice says.CUPE Local 830 filed legal action — a motion for injunction — against the municipality and one of its senior officials two weeks ago, alleging the city used “defamatory or harassing” communications and intimidation. The union also argued the city was “unlawfully interfering” with picketing union members, all of which the union argued was a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.CUPE also alleged the city used its police force as an “instrument” by filing false police complaints.About 30 employees with CUPE Local 830 have been striking for 56 days. They walked off the job July 29 after more than two and a half years without a contract. The main issues, according to the union, are job security, seniority and wages.If the judge had sided with the union, the city would have been ordered to stop any activities that breached the striking workers’ rights.’A tempest in a teapot’But Justice John Mitchell said he didn’t see enough evidence before him to issue an injunction.”In my view the city did nothing wrong or nothing illegal … frankly all four allegations put together amount to a tempest in a teapot,” he told the court after verbal arguments that lasted about an hour on Monday morning.”I just don’t see any legs … I just cannot see where the union’s right to freedom of expression has been removed.”Striking water and sewer workers in Charlottetown have had their request for an injunction against the city denied by P.E.I.’s Supreme Court. (Nicola MacLeod/CBC)The union’s arguments focused on four events where they allege members were treated improperly, including an email sent by the city’s lawyer to a union representative.CUPE’s lawyer argued the email was threatening, particularly because it came from a lawyer, but the justice disagreed, saying it was among “the most polite, non-aggressive emails” he’d ever seen.The union also took issue with police stepping in after a union member phoned a local plumbing company that wasn’t involved in the dispute and implied the company’s employees were scabs, a derogatory word used to describe people who cross a picket line and perform the work of striking union members.The City of Charlottetown has contracted and liaised with private companies throughout the course of the strike in cases where water and sewer work needed to be done.The company reported the call to the city, and the city’s CAO — who served as the chief of police until four months ago — forwarded information about the incident to the acting police chief, telling her to follow up if police deemed it appropriate.The union argued it wasn’t the city’s place to intervene, but Justice Mitchell said it was reasonable for the city to contact police and he didn’t see any evidence police were ordered to get involved.WATCH | Nearly a month into their strike, Charlottetown water and sewer workers say no progress madeNearly a month into their strike, Charlottetown water and sewer workers say no progress madeCharlottetown water and sewer workers say talks with the city on a new contract have stalled. They’ve been on strike since the end of July, demanding better wages and job security. As CBC’s Connor Lamont reports, union reps say city officials are ignoring their job action, and it’s not clear when a deal will be made. Brenda Comeau, the lawyer representing CUPE, told the judge she felt the benefit of the doubt was going to the city and in her closing arguments said it would be a mistake to dismiss the motion.After dismissing the motion, Mitchell said the union was welcome to take its case to the court of appeal.In an email to CBC News, union officials said they’re exploring all options. The union was also ordered to pay the city’s legal fees, but city officials only asked for $2,500, which they said was in the spirit of continuing productive negotiations. ABOUT THE AUTHORNicola is a reporter and producer for CBC News in Prince Edward Island. She regularly covers the criminal justice system and also hosted the CBC podcast Good Question P.E.I. She grew up on the Island and is a graduate of St. Thomas University’s journalism program. Got a story? Email nicola.macleod@cbc.caNicola MacLeod on X
City of Charlottetown did not interfere in water and sewer strike, judge says
