Marijuana grow operation.Norm Betts/The Globe and Mail
The union for B.C. Hydro workers says some of its members have been suspended over an investigation that suggests staff may have given assistance to marijuana grow-operations.
Doug McKay, business manager for Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said the investigation seems to involve allegations of upgrading transformers on buildings housing grow-ops.
"From what I've seen so far our members are just doing their jobs," Mr. McKay said in a press statement. "It's not a lineman's job to knock on doors and inquire whether a grow-op is inside. That's the job of the police."
Mr. McKay said 18 B.C. Hydro workers are subject to the investigation, and some have been sent home with pay. The union was notified of the investigation on June 18.
In an e-mailed statement, B.C. Hydro spokesperson Simi Heer said the investigation is an "internal personnel matter."
"We are conducting a thorough, internal investigation into the conduct of a small number of employees who appear to have been involved in the theft of B.C. Hydro equipment or other activities that would constitute a violation of our Code of Conduct," Ms. Heer's statement said.
"We need to ensure the conduct of a small number of individuals is not affecting the safety and security of the public or our employees," the statement said.
In an e-mail to union members, Mr. McKay said the accused workers deserve the benefit of the doubt and that B.C. Hydro "seems to have more questions than hard evidence against any of our members."