The union local representing city of Port Coquitlam workers has launched grievances to challenge the terminations of seven former employees due to alleged theft of city property.
CUPE Local 498 president Gary Goff said the grievances were filed against the municipality after the public works staff members were let go recently (he is also employed in public works).
Goff declined to comment further as the firings are now under investigation by local Mounties. A spokesperson for CUPE BC also would not comment.
Last week, the city made a formal complaint to Coquitlam RCMP after PoCo civic staff were notified by email of management’s decision.
The email stated the seven workers were fired over allegations of theft — mostly new copper pipes.
“The cash received by employees from the stolen property is conservatively estimated at $75,000,” the email read. “The price the city originally paid for the property is much more than that.”
The seven employees, whose service with the city ranged from one and a half years to 21 years, are accused of stealing the copper pipes over a 10-year period.
The circumstances surrounding and resulting from the firings were raised by two residents at last night's council meeting during the last question period of the current term (question period ends three months prior to an election campaign and the next election is Oct. 20).
Today (Wednesday), Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Mike McLaughlin told The Tri-City News police officers are working with PoCo city managers and, separately "gathering our own evidence” to consider recommending criminal charges to Crown counsel.
Meanwhile, in a statement, city spokesperson Pardeep Purewal said the city’s probe into the copper theft is now over.
“Our priority has shifted to reviewing the structure, processes and procedures in place for monitoring the inventory, usage and disposal of city property and implementing measures to help prevent such thefts in the future,” she wrote. “We have re-prioritized the work within the department and have made arrangements to use external resources if needed.”
She declined to comment on the specifics of the union complaints.
