Snowplow operators quit their jobs after abuse from Mississauga residents

Some snowplow operators in the GTA have been driven to quit their jobs after harassment from local residents.

City officials in Mississauga have confirmed the abuse towards snow-clearing crews during winter storms earlier this month resulted in some crew members leaving their positions.

“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,” says Helen Noehammer, the city’s director of work operations, in a statement.

Noehammer tells CityNews that crews experienced both physical and verbal abuse following the severe snowstorm at the beginning of March. A total of eight incidents were reported around the city in the wake of the storm on March 3 and 4.

In most reported instances, residents tried to stop plows from entering their street in an effort to prevent windrows of snow from blocking their driveways and sidewalks. In one case, a resident used a shovel to break the lights and mirrors on a plow.

“Many of our operators were shaken by these incidents,” says Noehammer. “Fortunately, no one was hurt.”

She says one of the city’s contractors saw a number of operators resign as a result of the alleged abuse from residents.

One Mississauga city councillor outlined the “violent and unacceptable behavior” from some residents towards plow operators in a newsletter to her constituents. Coun. Sue McFadden (Ward 10) also shared a message from city staff, which again suggested several staff resigned from their positions after not feeling safe enough to perform their jobs.

“Mississauga is not alone in seeing this type of behaviour,” reads the shared email from city staff. The message says operators in Brampton and the Town of Caledon have been dealing with similar abuse, and claims “arrests were made in Oshawa and Milton this past weekend for similar behaviour.”

“This is completely irresponsible by residents as operators are only performing the duties outlined in our contract,” reads the email shared by McFadden from city staff. “This type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Mississauga city officials say Peel Regional Police have been notified and the city will work with them to make sure operators stay safe.

“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,” says Noehammer.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie spoke out last week following reports that snowplow drivers in the city had been harassed and had their trucks vandalized while working during the recent storms.

“Disturbing to hear that our winter maintenance crews are facing harassment while clearing snow,” Crombie tweeted. “This behaviour is unacceptable. Please be kind, be patient and respect those working to keep our roads safe.”

The tweets from the mayor were published before the most recent storms passed through Toronto and the GTA over the weekend.