June 23, 2014 – Nova Scotia Power says it recently informed leadership of IBEW Local 1928 and employees of the result of an RFP under consideration by the company to save money.

The utility issued an RFP process in Fall 2013 for qualified vendors interested in providing certain services presently provided by the company’s employees, including coal and ash handling work at its thermal generating station in Trenton. This change could impact up to 13 positions at the plant.

This same work has been contracted out to an external vendor for close to 10 years at the Point Tupper Generating Station, says NS Power, adding that similar work is also under review at our Point Aconi and Lingan thermal sites.

This decision to outsource follows two others that were announced by the company in May involving transmission and distribution line inspection work, and transmission and distribution capital work.

The company and union will meet again in the coming weeks to discuss the union’s response. No layoff notices have been issued at this time. Decisions on other areas of work being reviewed for potential outsourcing are expected in the coming weeks.