Windsor will not outsource janitorial, caretaking jobs

Windsor will not outsource its janitorial and caretaking jobs.

Monday night, council voted against a plan that might have led to 100 positions being eliminated.

The city was looking at outsourcing caretaker jobs to the private sector, as a way to save nearly $1 million. Many of the jobs considered for outsourcing are at the Huron Lodge long-term care home.

After more than two tense hours of presentations and debate, the motion was defeated 6-5.

Rob Kolody, president of CUPE Local 82, which represents some of those workers, is pleased.

"Obviously I'm very happy with the decision. I was getting call after call from members, very concerned. I definitely believe that this is a step in the right direction for morale, and actually starting to build and create things for the city of Windsor," he said.

Mayor Drew Dilkens says the city will now have a much harder time figuring out how to save money.

"At the end of the day, our obligation is to the taxpayers," Dilkens said during the debate.

Coun. Rino Bortolin said the motion "just doesn't make sense to me," during the debate.

"This isn't just a simple business," Bortolin said.

Coun. John Elliott said the decision "boils down" to people, their livelihoods and their families. He didn't support the motion.