Pickets cannot obstruct entrances

"There's a risk to the generating system and distribution system if, by rotating pickets, they delay workers by 15 minutes each," Ontario Court Justice Colin Campbell ruled recently.

"There is a substantial risk to the entire system if there's risk to one station."

Two weeks ago picketing members of the Society of Energy Professionals caused the shutdown of six of eight coal-fired generators at the Nanticoke power station after non-striking workers were delayed from entering.

A judge granted an injunction recently to Ontario Power Generation to limit pickets at the Nanticoke plant to ensure all staff could get to work.

This week the power generator asked for a province-wide injunction to at least limit pickets at all OPG sites.

The striking workers are employed by Hydro One, not OPG.

The union has argued that its picketing has been "peaceful."

But in his ruling Campbell said that the union's pickets went beyond the scope of "information pickets" and he ordered them not to "blockade" the province's power plants, warning it could cause a power failure similar to the one that cascaded across Ontario and the northeastern U.S. in August 2003. That blackout originated at a single Ohio power plant.

The order, "which is in effect at all OPG generating stations, will enable OPG to ensure staff are able to report to work in a timely manner," OPG said in a recent release.

Hydro One and the union have been without a collective agreement since March 31. In mid-April, workers turned down Hydro One's final offer by a huge majority, voting more than 95 per cent against ratifying the contract. The union is protesting the company's demand to cut wages and benefits for new employees.

About 100 sites have been affected by the walkout of more than 1,000 supervisors, scientists, engineers and accountants.

Following yesterday's ruling the union will hold meetings with its members this week to look at strategies.

But spokesperson Brian Robinson said they would not go to the bargaining table while Hydro One still demands salary and benefit reductions for new employees.

And that it's only a matter of time before the power system goes down.

"We know and Hydro One knows that the electrical system in the province is deteriorating quickly and will eventually fail," Robinson said.

Hydro One spokesperson Peter Gregg said the company's contingency plan is viable for up to six months. Some maintenance functions are being cancelled or delayed till a later date, he said.

Yesterday the Ontario Ministry of Health told all hospitals and long-term care facilities to make sure their emergency plans are up to date and their emergency generators are ready to go.

Ontario's emergency operations centre is now at an "enhanced monitoring level" in case of broad power outages.