A Contrast in Transparency

Last week, The Hamiltonian sent a series of questions to City Manager Marnie Cluckie and to Greg Hoath, Business Manager of the Water Workers’ Union, IUOE Local 772/HOWEA.

The two responses we received could not have been more different.

Mr. Hoath responded directly and in full.

Ms. Cluckie did not respond directly.  Instead, the City’s media relations department sent a generic statement and instructed us to attribute it to “the City of Hamilton more broadly as spokesperson,” 

Because our questions were directed specifically to Ms. Cluckie, and because the statement did not address the questions we asked, a follow-up email to her was necessary. Below is the email we sent, setting out the questions that remain unanswered:

To: Marnie Cluckie, City Manager, City of Hamilton

The Hamiltonian has received a response from City Communications to the questions we directed to you in your role as City Manager regarding the recent water workers’ strike and the delayed disclosure of its costs.

While we appreciate the acknowledgement from the Communications and Engagement division, the response provided does not answer the specific questions we posed to you. It also insists that any attribution be made only to “the City of Hamilton,” rather than to you as the accountable official.

In the interest of transparency and clarity for Hamilton residents, we wish to explicitly set out the questions that remain unanswered:

1. Why has the release of the strike cost disclosure been delayed twice — first from October and now again into December?   The response offered no explanation for either delay.

2. Given the modern accounting, project management, and financial systems at the City’s disposal, why has an aggregate cost figure not yet been produced?   No operational or logistical explanation was provided.

3. Can you assure Hamiltonians that this disclosure will not be pushed further into the Christmas period, when residents are understandably preoccupied, and that it will indeed be released in early December?   Instead, the response merely stated the costing report is “anticipated before the end of 2025,” which is vague and does not address the specific timeline we asked about.

4. In the aftermath of a difficult and prolonged labour dispute, what is the current state of the working relationship between the City and HOWEA — in terms of respect, trust, and day-to-day rapport?   No comment was provided on workplace climate or the human impacts of the dispute.

5. What steps are you, as City Manager, personally prepared to take to help rebuild trust and reduce friction with HOWEA members and staff following the dispute?   The response did not address any concrete or human-focused actions to support reconciliation and relationship repair.

6. Finally, why was the response not given directly under your name, as requested, but instead routed through communications staff with a requirement that it be attributed only to “the City of Hamilton”?   No rationale was provided as to why the City’s top administrative official declined to respond personally to questions directed to her office.

The Hamiltonian believes that accountability is inseparable from identifiable leadership. Hamiltonians deserve to know who is speaking, who is responsible, and who is prepared to stand behind the decisions and explanations affecting their city and their tax dollars.

We renew our request that you respond directly to the questions above in your own name, and that the answers be provided with sufficient specificity to allow the public to understand the reasons for delay, the projected timeline for disclosure, and the measures being taken to rebuild trust with the City’s own workforce.

We will publish your response verbatim. Our original deadline remains.

There was no response from Ms. Cluckie.

In tandem, we turned o IUOE Local 772/HOWEA with questions about the FOI request and the ongoing delays. Their reply was as follows, in full:

“The IUOE Local772/HOWEA remains frustrated on all fronts - arbitration, FOI release of information and the workplace.

I will only make this comment about arbitration, we experience continual delays that are unnecessary and the City is not seeking an end to the long standing wage parity issue but rather preparing to argue on procedural matters. Further infuriating the employees.

FOI delays are not surprising as the City rarely if ever is timely in action. Silence is typical of the Mayor and councillors.”

We also asked both parties about the state of the working relationship following the strike. Mr. Hoath provided the following full response:

“The relationship was poor and confrontational prior to strike and unfortunately has only worsened. It is our collective responsibility to work for improvements. Talk is cheap, issues are escalating, grievances are up, just not sure the City of Hamilton is focused on improvements.

The employees have little respect for senior management or City administration and feel a worsening of the day to day working relationship. I represent members in 68 workplaces across Ontario. I have had 7 strikes.

In all cases, but the City of Hamilton, employers have actively worked to restore collaboration. Mending fences should be a priority. These employees are provincially certified water and wastewater operators and trades that are charged with ensuring we have safe drinking water and treated sewage discharges that protect our environment.

They deserve some respect. Unfortunately, not sure what I can do to improve relations but will strive to have a safe and enjoyable workplace, one that employees can once again be proud of. Always an optimist.

The elephant in the room, will continue to be the likelihood of another strike if this 20 year injustice is not resolved.

We urge the City of Hamilton, where I was born and bred, to step up and do the right thing - in arbitration, with the FOI request and with the ongoing relationship.”

Here is the City’s statement in its entirety — the statement that was offered in place of answers to our questions:

Throughout the collective bargaining process, the City remained committed to reaching a fair agreement that supported HOWEA members while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Hamilton.

We were pleased to ratify an agreement that helped address the increased cost of living for employees, remained consistent with the City’s other Collective Agreements and the City’s bargaining mandate. It also ensured the continued delivery of critical water, wastewater and stormwater services to the community.

The City values the contributions of its HOWEA-represented employees and remains committed to fostering a positive, respectful and collaborative working relationship. As we move forward together, our shared focus will remain on delivering high-quality service to the residents of Hamilton.

As has been provided earlier, City staff are actively compiling a costing report outlining the financial impact of the labour disruption. The report is anticipated to be presented to City Council at an upcoming General Issues Committee meeting before the end of 2025.

The Hamiltonian remains concerned about the City's refusal to be transparent with Hamiltonians; especially as the questions we have posed are fair and relevant. The City Manager is the most senior employee reporting directly to Mayor Horwath and City Council. Do Mayor Horwath and her council find this posture acceptable? In the midst of a labour dispute, one would think the City would want to be forthcoming. Thankfully, an election is fast approaching and Hamiltonians will have their say.