By Jordan Shifman
New businesses are finally opening up, now that Hydro Ottawa’s strike is over.
Workers had been on strike since Sept. 10, and much of the utility’s routine work has accumulated.
During the strike, emergencies and power outages were given priority, which left all repairs and new installations on a long waiting list.
Rob Saikaley is the owner of a new Quiznos Sub franchise at 311 Bank St.
He bought the franchise in May, and planned to open for business by the middle of September, but the opening was delayed for six weeks.
The restaurant is located in an older building and his equipment requires an above average power source. Saikaley could not open until Hydro Ottawa came to provide the service upgrade.
“It was scheduled to be completed right when the strike happened. So I didn’t have the power to open,” Saikaley says. “We crossed the picket lines once to get information about our upgrade and they wouldn’t even acknowledge we were there.”
Although Hydro Ottawa did eventually get to the job, the restaurant could not open until late last week because final inspections were delayed as well.
“So finally I’m getting the hydro, but then the fire, electric, and health board inspectors all had to come in. They were supposed to come throughout the process of construction. Now they’re being crammed in all at once. Anybody opening something new would have had this problem,” Saikaley says.
Hydro Ottawa spokesperson Elise Proulx says the utility is aware that the strike has been problematic for businesses.
She says they are confident their workers can make up for the time lost, but there was no avoiding delays along the way.
“We apologize for those delays. These are unusual circumstances. We will help everyone as soon as we can humanly do it, but we will need a little time to catch up,” Proulx says.
“Because approximately 80 per cent of our workers were on strike, we had to concentrate on outages. Of course, we apologize, but that’s it. We’re sorry.”
Saikaley says Hydro Ottawa didn’t just postpone his opening, the delay also cost him money.
During those six weeks, he had rent expenses to pay.
Staff hired and trained for the opening quit because of the delay, and had to be replaced.
He adds that advertisements and coupons were produced specifically for a September opening.
Saikaley says he’s lost thousands of dollars in revenue that would have been earned if the fast food restaurant had opened on time.
Proulx was quick to respond to the idea that Hydro Ottawa should be held responsible for any businesses’ financial losses.
“Hydro Ottawa does not assume responsibilities or cost that occurred as a result of the labour dispute.We really do appreciate that some customers have experienced some delays and losses and we apologize for that. But we do not guarantee the delivery of power under extreme circumstances,” says Proulx.
Bill Pinder owns a Mr. Sub franchise across the street from the new Quiznos restaurant.
Although they would seem to be competitors, he says if Saikaley’s business were open, Mr. Sub would benefit.
“Any new business is a magnet to attract new people. People are not likely to eat the same thing everyday, so this gives them some variety and keeps them in the neighbourhood,” Pinder says.
“I’m glad they’re finally open.”
Saikaley is glad too, but remains frustrated after a process he refers to as “just plain bad luck.”
“We’re excited about opening up,” he says. “It’s been a long time coming.”