In light of the shenanigans brought on by the union members last week at the transfer station, I call on senior staff and councillors to withdraw any offers, including signing bonuses, made to Town of Qualicum Beach municipal workers.
An extended time-out is in order.
This demand for parity with the neighbouring town is idiotic.
In defence, Qualicum Beach taxpayers’ representatives should open our negotiations demanding a pay scale and benefits in parity to what private sector employees providing similar property maintenance services are charging here in Qualicum Beach.
That position would mean zero medical and dental, zero pension package and an estimated 20 per cent cut in pay along with monthly performance reviews — that is the reality for private sector employees and businesses.
And while out of contract with the union, the town should consider non-essential services to be tendered to resident companies on term contracts if it reduces costs to taxpayers.
I have been informed that the Town of Qualicum Beach was spending $14,000 daily for union member wages plus other expenses before they were locked out. In 70 business days, taxpayers would save over one million dollars.
With the exception of garbage pickup, you won’t miss the services at this time of year, and senior staff appear to be up to the challenge to make good on the essentials.
Citizens could help by getting their own and neighbours’ waste to the transfer station, or perhaps a temporary site could be established for drop off reducing door to door pick up.
This will be a good opportunity to route the greed and entitlement mentality locally and send a strong message that taxpayers are fed up with paying double market value for services.
Hey, here is a novel idea: use some of the savings for a taxpayer cash refund. That would be a first.
Brian JenkinsQualicum Beach