Image

November 3, 2013

Workers at Clean Harbours on Petrolia Line could soon be walking the picket line.

The 77 members of Local 9-14 of Unifor have voted in favour a strike after turning down a contract from the company last week.

Unifor Local 9-14 Representative Glen Sonier says the workers, who do everything from operate the heavy equipment at the hazardous waste landfill to lab work to general maintenance could be off the job as early midnight Nov. 4.

The workers, who went on strike two years ago, have similar concerns, says Sonier.

“One of the issues we’re looking at is benefits. We had them in the collective agreement and then Clean Harbours went to a company plan and it has been costly (for the workers).”

The union is also opposing the company’s push for “American-style” drug and alcohol policies. “That would be random and pre-employment testing…but in Canada it is illegal,” says Sonier.

Sonier says the union is open to more talk although at press time there were none scheduled.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Sarnia all-candidates debate a revealing evening

October 21, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent With less than a week until election day, 28 candidates vying for eight council seats, spent four hours Tuesday trying to stand out as the right choice for Sarnia voters. They gathered at The Imperial Theatre in front of an audience of 200, with another 500 streaming the marathon event online. Compared to Monday night’s mayoral debate,

Read More

Image
Front Page

St. Clair will be reimbursed for help at Chatham ethanol plant fire

October 21, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent St. Clair Township Councillor Brad Langstaff wants to know what it cost for the fire department to help fight an ethanol plant fire in Chatham. Sept. 16, 15 firefighters, the township’s two tower trucks and its drone headed to Chatham to help battle a massive fire at Greenfield Global. St. Clair was called on because it has

Read More

Image
Front Page

Enniskillen rejects request for ATVs on township roads

October 21, 2026

Blake Ellis/The Independent ATVs won’t be allowed on Enniskillen roads. A request by Enniskillen Resident Mark Braet failed to sway Enniskillen Township Council to allow all terrain vehicles on township roads. Braet made a presentation to council on Oct. 8 along with representatives from the Tri-Shore ATV Club. Braet wanted to be allowed to drive ATVs on roads in the

Read More

Image
Front Page

LAMBTON VOTES: Petrolia Candidate Surveys

October 21, 2026

The Independent sent a questionnaire to each candidate for Petrolia Council. Below are the unedited responses from the candidates: Work Experience: Policy Advisor, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce; former Constituency Assistant to MPPs Bob Bailey and Billy Pang; former parliamentary intern with MPs Marilyn Gladu and Jake Stewart; former Town of Petrolia Parks & Recreation Summer Labourer; former Dietary Aide at

Read More