Officials say CNE rides safe despite safety inspectors’ continuing strike

The CNE is four days away and officials are insisting the midway rides and other areas of the fair will be safe despite an ongoing strike by safety inspectors.

Around 170 safety inspectors with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) walked off the job on July 21 of this year and have been in negotiations since November of 2021.

Members of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) picketed outside the Exhibition grounds on Sunday, calling on the TSSA to continue negotiations. They are concerned rides and equipment may not be properly inspected due to striking members.

“It just takes one accident… it’s time for TSSA to get back to bargaining and protect public safety,” OPSEU said in a tweet, adding “stop @TSSAOntario’s union busting tactics and protect public safety.”

https://twitter.com/OPSEU/status/1558846317626998784

NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam also tweeted her concerns, saying TASSA safety inspectors “inspect every propane dispensing station, amusement ride and food truck.”

The CNE opens in FIVE days and the TASSA safety inspectors are on strike. They inspect every propane dispensing station, amusement ride and food truck. Without a fair contract, public safety is being compromised by Doug Ford. Ontario families and workers deserve better. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/qEDmqmImmi

— Kristyn Wong-Tam ???????? (@kristynwongtam) August 13, 2022

However, the TSSA said other workers have been brought in to check the rides to ensure they will be safe for the fair.

“All CNE rides are inspected and authorized by TSSA prior to the CNE opening and inspected on all 18 days by TSSA-certified mechanics. All required safety inspections will be done for the CNE,” the TSSA stated in a tweet over the weekend.

“Qualified staff are available for inspection support and CNE organizers also engage 3rd-party safety professionals to further ensure the utmost safety of all rides,” the TSSA said in another tweet last week.

In a statement on its website, the CNE said it has been working to ensure that the labour disruption would not compromise the safety of its visitors, vendors and staff.

“TSSA management have taken proactive measures including travelling to other fair sites to conduct inspections in advance of the equipment’s arrival at the CNE,” it read.

“In addition to TSSA inspections and certifications, the CNE dedicates a significant amount of resources to deploy its own third-party safety consultants and certified engineers to ensure that all rides and installations at the event exceed safety standards. We want to assure our patrons that the CNE is safe; irrespective of the ongoing labour dispute between TSSA and OPSEU.”

The CNE is set to return on Friday after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.