Kelowna

Shane Collins is speaking out after being fired from his job as a garbage collector with OK Environmental Waste Systems in Kelowna.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Collins says he was fired Monday after being caught taking pictures of a video surveillance camera the company installed in one of the trucks last week.

He sent the pictures to a couple of media outlets including the CBC.

"I walked into the coffee room and the guys were talking about a camera on the windshield of one of the truck," says Collins.

"There had been rumours of it coming in."

Collins says the company never told the employees the surveillance cameras were being installed or the reason.

He says it was installed on just one truck as a test.

He says he and Andrew Shepherd, who was also fired, were called into the office separately Monday.

"They told me they had information I was involved (distributing the picture). They had surveillance of me taking pictures from a camera on one of the buildings.," says Collins.

"They were furious we went over their heads."

He says the incident was given as the main reason for the firing.

"The reason they gave me was I was involved in going above management's head. They said it was a breach of policy for me to talk to the media. They also have me missing a step on my pre-trip inspection on that surveillance."

Collins says he failed to thoroughly check the transmission fluid for levels and leaks.

"It was a minor infraction. Any type of disciplinary action would have done. They could have suspended me or revoked my route and put me on another duty but they fired me."

Collins says he decided to go to the media rather that confront the company directly because he claims prior complaints or concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

"You have to understand there is a level of middle management. When we have concerns regarding disciplinary action , safety or health we go to them and hope that message gets passed higher up," says Collins.

"A lot of times when our concerns have been expressed, nothing has happened."

He says they were told the camera was a safety procedure that would only be activated upon a hard brake application.

"It would take a picture from in front of the truck and take a photograph or film of the driver."

Collins says he has spoken with a lawyer and does not intend to pursue a wrongful dismissal suit at the present time.

He says he plans to pursue photography as a career.

Shepherd meantime refused to comment on his firing while he seeks legal advice.

Company owner Lance Shaw was in a meeting and unavailable for comment when contacted by Castanet.