The Canadian Union of Public Employees which represents outside workers in Mount Pearl is accusing the city of wasting taxpayer money by contracting-out snow clearing services that it says will likely never be used.

CUPE says Mount Pearl contracted out part of the city’s snow clearing after municipal workers went on strike two years ago.

The idea at the time says CUPE 2099 President Sherry Fitzpatrick was that the contractors would support city staff if the weather turned out to be as extreme as it was during #Snowmageddon.

The contractor was never used says Fitzpatrick, and taxpayer money was spent on a service that was never performed.

The union says a tender for $216,000 was awarded to Farrell’s Excavating in October, and while the offer is per use, which means less could be spent, a $100,000 minimum is required.

CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier says everyone knows Mount Pearl has some of the best snow clearing in the province, and that’s due to their members and not a private contractor.