Why is Qualicum Beach council trying to outsource garbage collection? Doesn’t our mayor champion a social procurement policy that aims to retain youth and families? What about the local and student summer jobs that garbage collection provides? Or is this just a case of, “do as I say?”
I have always loved our local town employees. When my children were young they used to wait for the garbage man just to say “hi” or sometimes have a quick water fight. I have seen them take in a resident’s can because they knew she was ill. Sometimes a garbage person is the eyes and ears of the community, as they are seeing what is happening on every street. You can’t tell me we will have that same community service from an outside company.
I don’t think this has anything to do with saving money. I think they are trying to union bust, and make the town employees afraid for their jobs just before contract negotiations begin. This philosophy has hurt staff morale and services have suffered. Let’s get away from the management vs. staff mentality and back to the small-town team approach that has served us so well.
As a business owner, I have seen the downtown services drop off more every year. No more sidewalk washing, no litter being picked up, less beautification. I think as a town we do need the eyes and ears of town employees on our streets. I doubt we would save money by outsourcing to a for-profit company and I am willing to pay for the luxury of local employees with my taxes.
Deanne May
Qualicum Beach