I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Christensen (“Bargain at local level” SNM April 4, 2012) on his comments towards collective bargaining and comparing Sooke with its regional counterparts.
Municipalities in the region have too many common influences such as the Capital Regional District, library boards and recreation facilities which cross municipal boundaries to discount regional comparisons.
Plus you cannot compare building inspectors, or planners to private sector competitors because the sector is municipal. I don’t cherry pick the best contract or highest wages, I compare the competition Sooke faces for staff and base my position off of parity with them. It’s a business case based off of competition for employees.
It’s the question of - is a building inspector, planner or engineer in Sooke worth the same as their counterpart in Langford, Colwood or Metchosin?
Any developer I’ve met says a good building inspector is worth their weight in gold - and I’m not even asking for silver.
Trevor Davies
President, CUPE 374
Victoria