According to the blue collars workers union of Laval, about 100 employees feel spied on by cameras installed in the municipal garage.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Cameras at heart of latest dispute between city and blue collar workers
City’s ‘eye’ on materials and equipment makes workers feel spied on
It appears that cameras installed in the Laval municipal garage are causing discontent among workers who say they feel they’re being spied on by their employer.
At least that’s the opinion of Martin Gagnon, president of the blue collar workers union. Mr. Martin maintains that the installation of such cameras inside the workplace are a source of unnecessary pressure for employees while at the same time impacting negatively on the climate of trust that should normally prevail.
“When you know you’re on camera, you watch your every move and this makes your work rather unpleasant,” he explains. “Under these circumstances, the workplace atmosphere suffers.”
Loss of materials
According to the city, most of the cameras have been in place at the municipal garage at the intersection of Industrial Boulevard and Highway 440 for a few years, and that three additional ones were installed in February of 2007, following the disappearance of materials.
“These are public goods, and it’s our duty to protect them,” says Ville de Laval spokesperson Marc Laforge. “The cameras were not installed to watch over the work of the blue collar workers, but to avoid the loss of other materials.”
A grievance was filed by the blue collars workers union in 2007, asking for the removal of everything it considers part of a “system of surveillance, including cameras and GPS’s.
“We view this as unacceptable provocation,” states Francis Desjardins, of the blue collar workers union. “For us it represents an unnecessary expense on the part of the city. Presently there are about 100 employees who fell spied upon by these cameras.”
Photo:Blue
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Météo: Laval, 22 mai 2008 / 12°C
/ Faible averse de pluie
/ Vents: 9 Km/h / Humidité relative: 67 % 
Steven Guilbeault - 
