Answers to 6 questions about the Hydro Ottawa workers' strike

Around 400 Hydro Ottawa employees took to the picket lines Wednesday as they strike for a new contract with the utility. Here are answers to some common questions about the strike.

Around 400 Hydro Ottawa employees took to the picket lines Wednesday as they strike for a new contract with the utility.

The employees include trade, technical and inside workers. Seventy-four per cent of workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) voted to reject Hydro Ottawa's latest offer, leading to the strike.

Here are answers to some common questions about the strike.

Short answer, yes. Hydro Ottawa says it has activated a contingency plan to maintain services, but some work might be rescheduled or delayed.

"While it may not be business as usual, our customers can rest assured that we remain committed to providing them with the same safe and reliable electricity at a time when they need it most," Hydro Ottawa says. "Our Customer Service team and online services will remain available."

Hydro Ottawa says it has additional resources ready to respond to power outages, but restoration times will be longer than usual.

In the event of a major outage event or a public safety emergency, Hydro Ottawa says it will respond.