Citing abuse from Mississauga residents, GTA snowplow operators quit their jobs

According to Mississauga city officials, some snowplow operators in the area have quit their jobs due to the mistreatment of snow-clearing staff earlier this month during winter storms.

“Snow-clearing crews and operators have been experiencing escalating harassment and violence – including verbal and physical abuse, threats and unacceptable behaviour from several residents upset about snow-clearing operations…Many of our operators were shaken by these incidents…Fortunately, no one was hurt,” stated Helen Noehammer, the city’s director of work operations, in a statement.

In the wake of the winter storm on March 3 and 4, eight instances of physical and verbal abuse against snowplow operators were reported, according to Noehammer, causing a contractor to see a rise in the number of resignations by the workers.

In one of the alleged incidents, a resident tried to break the lights and mirrors on a plow using a shovel, and in another recent incident, residents attempted to block the snowplow operators from entering their street so as to prevent snow from piling up on their sidewalks and driveways.

“We are pleased to share that this past weekend’s winter operations were incident free and were delivered efficiently and effectively within our prescribed service levels,” Noehammer added further, with city officials stating that the Peel Regional Police have been informed and are working with the city to ensure a safe environment for the snowplow operators.