Why 12 hour shifts?

I was disgusted to read that the Avon Power Plant is firing 1100 workers because they refuse to be exploited further (Power Plant Fires Workers, Courier, August 7).

It was my understanding that one of the only benefits to having this plant here was that it would provide decent employment for our local labour force and yet it’s firing 1100 people without even addressing their concerns?

Why does the power plant require its workers to work 12 hour shifts? Is the power plant so desperately understaffed? When the only real benefit to our community is job creation why is the power plant not hiring at full capacity, preferring rather, to maximize exploitation of their current employees?

When forced to work 12 hour shifts every day, who has time to help children with their homework; to catch up with family or to simply go to the grocery store? This is without having to first try and find transport to a remote location and then having no guarantee of getting home again in the dark.

But when these people said ‘enough’, the powers that be chose the brutal tactic of firing their work force en masse, thereby giving a clear message of how little they care for fair treatment or for their employees well-being.

I’m disgusted by the actions the Avon Power Plant and Group Five have taken. My heart goes out to all the many families that have been affected by this cold and heartless decision.

CATHERINE THATE

Salt Rock