A Toronto Zoo caretaker said yesterday that he was fired for criticizing his employer in front of the city's budget committee. But a zoo spokeswoman says he is "not a whistle-blower."
Miguel Avila, 44, says he was fired on Monday by the Toronto Zoo after making a presentation in public hearings before the budget committee last month: "I came here as a Torontonian to say things that are necessary. ... It's a free society."
Mr. Avila, a father of three, says he started at the zoo in 2006, but has been on medical leave for a month, including when he appeared before the budget committee on Feb. 18. He would not say why.
In an e-mail, zoo spokeswoman Shanna Young said the dismissal was "justified," but that the zoo could not comment further on a personnel matter.
"The allegations made by Mr. Avila as to the reason for his termination are without foundation," she said. "He was not a whistle-blower."
Mr. Avila says he plans to contact the city's ombudsman. A spokeswoman for his union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1600, would confirm only that it is fighting his dismissal.
Mr. Avila produced a dismissal letter that appears to confirm he was fired for his presentation, among other activities, including the starting of an online petition demanding the zoo establish a citizens' committee. Yesterday, the petition had 11 signatures.
The letter, signed by Robin Hale, the zoo's chief operating officer, says Mr. Avila was "defiant and refused to acknowledge" that his "conduct and insubordination were unacceptable, despite previous warnings and suspension."
In a disjointed presentation to the budget committee, Mr. Avila focused on newspaper accounts of controversy over the zoo's board, including a move to cut ties with its fundraising foundation.
He called for a "major shakeup" of zoo management and for the firing of chief executive officer Calvin White for having "damaged and tarnished the reputation" of the zoo.
Mr. Avila accused zoo board members of wasting money on "exotic" trips and handing out too many free zoo passes. ***
LETTER OF DISMISSAL
On Monday, 2009-03-09 you attended a meeting with Management where Mr. Grant Ankenman, President of CUPE Local 1600 was also present. At this meeting you confirmed that you were the author of the budget submission to the Budget Committee, the on-line petition as well as various e-mails to Board members, City Councillors, the Mayor's office and other persons not directly connected to the Toronto Zoo. At this meeting you were defiant and refused to acknowledge that your conduct and insubordination was unacceptable, despite previous warnings and suspension.
This long demonstrated pattern of disloyalty and insubordination on your part, conduct in which you were repeatedly warned not to engage and for which you have been subsequently disciplined for doing so, is unacceptable.
As a result the Toronto Zoo is terminating your employment for cause effective Monday, 2009-03-09.
Yours truly,
R.D. Hale
Chief Operating Officer
Jeff Gray