In Praise of Municipal Workers
Keeping the City of Prince George operating is no small task. With about 75,000 people, our city extends across 322 square kilometers of land, hills, forest, waterways, ponds, homes and buildings. Interlaced throughout are over a thousand kilometers of water, storm, sewer and other infrastructure that must be constantly maintained and repaired, along with about 700 km of roads.
Each year 17 billion liters of water is pumped from 10 wells, purified for drinking and other purposes, and provided to 27,700 home and commercial users. Streets are swept in the warmer months and as much as 640,000 cubic metres of snow are plowed and hauled away in winter.
The city has 116 parks, playgrounds, and sports fields, which cover literally hundreds of hectares, including Fort George Park, Connaught Hill Park, Cottonwood Island Park, Moore’s Meadow, Forests for the World, Rainbow Park, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and dozens of other recreation sites both large and small.
In addition, it has many large facilities and properties, including the Civic Centre, CNC Centre, Coliseum, Exhibition Park, Kin Centre, swimming pools, stadiums, and so on. And, of course, it has many administrative departments, including zoning, licensing, bylaws, traffic control, accounting, planning, real estate services and others, all part of a complex network, a vast machine that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
A lot depends on the staff who carry out this work, indeed, who help make the city a safe, clean, efficient, and enjoyable place to live and work. Who does the bulk of it? Who are the people who dig up and fix the sewer pipes and water mains, sweep the streets, clear and maintain roads, cut the grass, operate the power plants, repair machinery, monitor water quality, lifeguard at the pools, process the paper work, staff the offices, answer the calls, and all the other 1001 tasks that grease the wheels and gears of our city?
It is our City’s 512 inside and outside workers. And they should be respected for that.
But there is something else that often gets forgotten about these workers. Through their work, they not only grease the wheels of the city, they add a tremendous amount of value to our economy. We live in a highly socialized modern economy, where each part is dependent on or connected to the other parts.
Labour acting on nature in the source of all value, and our modern economy create huge amounts of added value through the productive process. A substantial and indispensable portion of that added value is generated by municipal workers through the provision of services, facilities and infrastructure for the mills, stores, businesses and other workplaces across the city. The added value created by municipal workers is transferred into and percolates throughout this wider economy and into the goods and services that are produced there.
And it is not just the manufactured products and service provision of the wider economy that municipal workers add value to. They especially add value to the human factor, to the health, well-being and productive capacity of the citizens of the city. Clean water, safe roads, efficient waste disposal, modern recreation facilities, well-run infrastructure, all contribute to robust and healthy citizens, who, in turn, are more efficient and productive at their workplaces thus creating additional value.
City workers are not some kind of burden, obstacle, or negative factor to the city as some would like to claim. Nor do they deserve to be abused or denigrated by those who should know better.
Unfortunately, the current mayor and city management have created a toxic, negative atmosphere towards municipal workers during these contract negotiations and before. Is the plan to provoke a strike, the first in the city’s hundred year history, in order to somehow bolster the mayor’s reputation going into the next election?
Whatever the reason, such an attitude reveals disrespect and contempt for city workers and for the citizenry at large. The mayor and city management need to give their collective heads a shake and return to serious bargaining.
Above all, they need to start giving municipal workers, who are indispensable providers of service and creators of value, who are our friends and neighbours, the respect they deserve.
Peter Ewart is a columnist and writer, and Dawn Hemingway is an educator and community activist. Both are based in Prince George, British Columbia, and can be reached at: peter.ewart@shaw.ca
Comments
Well said Peter,its time for the Councillors to step-up and slam the door on all this BS
If Ewart had his way no one would have to work. The food fairy would feed us all, the entertainment fairy would entertain us all, the housing fairy would keep a roof over everyone’s head and on and on and on.
The municipal civil service is out of control. Someone needs to stop it. We’re paying way to much for what little they really do.
Axman, how would you like to be 10 feet down in a hole fixing a water main break in minus thirty weather. Contrary to what you might think the number of full time civic employees is closer to 300. There are many part time and casuals included in the 500. All these workers are dedicated and go the extra mile to help people out. Whether it’s sending the loader back to open a driveway for someone who needs to get to the doctor, or sending a crew out late at night because you have no water,having a crew attend to a sewer backup at 1 in the morning. These are only a few examples of the service that is delivered by these workers. You have obviously been fortunate enough not have to ask for assistance or you too would have experienced this service.
….And it only costs taxpayers $42 Million + gold plated benefits and pension plans per year to provide it all.
City workers are doing better than the people who pay their salaries, the taxpayer. If you’re okay with all of that Peter and Dawn, then by all means, praise away.
Posted by: longtimeresident on December 12 2013 8:02 AM
Axman, how would you like to be 10 feet down in a hole fixing a water main break in minus thirty weather.
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I’d rather be one of the 3 people standing around guarding that hole.
Yes, there are people employed by the city who are necessary in order for the city to function. There are also a lot of people who are employed by the city who don’t do a whole heck of a lot but since we can’t get rid of them they’re basically laughing at you and me.
There’s a lot of fat on the city payroll that needs to be trimmed. And that applies to both management and union.
The city has stated that the only issue that remains on the table is wages and I believe that Bigelow has said the same thing in the past while ago.
Then it all comes down to the simple question “Are the city worker’s fairly compensated? ” IMO the answer is yes. I have not heard one word from cupe to dispute this. They throw out red herrings like they have been offered a lesser percentage than other municipalities or other projects the city is spending money on. Still does not answer the basic question.
As for the matter of disrespect, it is a two way street. It does not matter one iota to cupe what projects the city chooses to go forward with as they have absolutely no place on the bargaining table and it is disrespectful to try to drag them in: a lame attempt to garner public support. The individual cupe member can have their say by putting an X on the ballot the same as every other taxpayer.
At the end of the day if the strike drags on for more than a few days they will be the ones to lose.
Why are people trashing the people doing the work. If there are lazy worker’s who are continuing to be lazy it is because culture won’t build an effective team with appropriate feedback. Will people stop trashing the low man on the totem pole and instead try to fix the broken system.
The system is broken and the only way to fix it is together. All you whining that the city pays too much should step in too their shoes before casting the stones. There are many things in the public sector that is far different than the private sector. They both have there benefits and their own downfalls. Do we have too many employees, likely. We have too many managers too many fire fighters and likely too many workers for a city of our size in our financial condition. Settle the contract with reasonable terms and let’s start fixing the broken system.
Axeman did you ask the three what they were doing? If not then your critizem is worth nothing.
Excellent article. I especially agree with this observation: “City workers are not some kind of burden, obstacle, or negative factor to the city as some would like to claim. Nor do they deserve to be abused or denigrated by those who should know better.”
Posted by: seamut on December 12 2013 10:15 AM
Axeman did you ask the three what they were doing?
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They were guarding the hole. Did you miss that part?
It’s like when they put that sidewalk in that goes nowhere (from Carney onto 1st) there was easily 4 guys standing around watching 1 guy work. That’s one expensive sidewalk. That doesn’t go anywhere.
The municipal civil service is overbloated, overpaid and incredibly inefficient. It needs a complete overhaul; the taxpayers cannot afford to keep funding it. And that goes for all city employees, not just the front liners.
Peter has just described every City in North America. That’s what City workers do, and that’s what we hire them for.
They are no better or worse than other workers in Prince George, other than they have good pay and benefits.
How would you like to be working in the bush in this weather as a heavy duty mechanic trying to get a big piece of Machinery going. Or driving truck between Prince George and 100 Mile in this weather and on these roads. Or perhaps you would like to be a school bus driver on a split shift driving kids to and from school five days a week and making much less than most City Workers, or perhaps sitting in a logging truck at 4am out in the McGregors waiting to get loaded, and then drive to Prince George.
City Workers are the same as the rest of us. They hired on to do a job, we pay them to do the job, and they negotiate better wages and salaries if they can, however there is no guarantee that they will, **win** the negotiations every time they bargain. Perhaps its time they took some responsibility and signed a contract without getting their way.
Not having a strike in this City for a number of years is the result of there being lots of money around, and the negotiations between the City and Unions wasn’t much more than feel good session.
This is a different time and things have changed. There is no more money available from taxpayers for Unions, Management, Staff, or expensive projects.
Its time the Good Time Charly’s at the City give the taxpayers a break.
Talk to many CUPE inside and outside workers – all very happy with their C/A and wages – that is why the vote the 2nd time was less.
What is the real issue with bargaining – all items which would affect their “golden” retirement bonus is off the table as well as many other items.
Their negotiating team from both locals lack experience – 1st time for J. Bigelow & G.Campbell – what happened I Love PG campaign – where are their hearts?
Many of them are willing to take what is given to them.
Axman:”It’s like when they put that sidewalk in that goes nowhere (from Carney onto 1st) there was easily 4 guys standing around watching 1 guy work.”
And how do you know that people sitting in front of a computer screen in an office are working? They are not even standing around, but they may be not working while sitting down!
I think we should stop picking on people altogether!
Let’s discuss instead the wisdom of hosting expensive entertainment events (borrowing and spending taxpayers’ money) and trying to plead a limited budget at the same time!
It doesn’t add up!
Well Said Peter!! The vast majority of complainers on this site are fuelled by simple jealousy because their not receiving a bigger paycheque and misery loves company! Its not the City workers fault hey have a decent wage…..NO ONE was raising an eyebrow when Canfors crew turned DOWN HUGE wage increases over 5 years.
Posted by: PrinceGeorge on December 12 2013 11:23 AM
And how do you know that people sitting in front of a computer screen in an office are working? They are not even standing around, but they may be not working while sitting down!
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I don’t but that doesn’t alter the fact that the ones who aren’t working shouldn’t have the job.
Certainly there is some mechanism in place to monitor productivity?
Axman:”It’s like when they put that sidewalk in that goes nowhere (from Carney onto 1st) there was easily 4 guys standing around watching 1 guy work.”
Those 4 guys standing around watching 1 guy work.Well they were working for a Quesnel based private contractor.
JohnyBelt
JoeyTomato: “I hope the Union sticks it to the city! “
In other words, you’re saying, ‘I hope the Union sticks it to the taxpayer?’ That’s where the City gets the money from, you know.
Its more like management and their decisions are sticking it to the taxpayers!
Posted by: stillcounting on December 12 2013 12:14 PM
Axman:”It’s like when they put that sidewalk in that goes nowhere (from Carney onto 1st) there was easily 4 guys standing around watching 1 guy work.”
Those 4 guys standing around watching 1 guy work.Well they were working for a Quesnel based private contractor.
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And driving City of PG trucks? That’s a sweet contract.
JoeyTomato: “Its more like management and their decisions are sticking it to the taxpayers!”
How so? I know managers are well paid, but they cost nowhere near the $42 Million / year the City workforce does.
How easy it is to attack the workers for the mess that Mayor and some Council have made. The solution to our problem is not less municipal workers or lower wages and benefits for municipal workers b/c that is not the problem.
Mayor and some council want you to think it is so you will turn on the municipal
workers. It is the tried and true conquer and divide tactic.
The problem is the miss management of our tax dollars. So I say to all you with your hair aflame running a muck in the blog pages over the municipal workers to look closer at what Mayor and some council have been spending our tax dollars on. Honestly how many times do we need to send our elected officials on these useless China Junkets. Why Does the Mayor need her very own personal assistant. Why did Mayor and some council spend 350 thousand dollars on a core review. So if you stop to see the forest through the trees there are real issues out there that need your attention and input but attacking our municipal workers is not one of them.
Well said, H.! The workers don’t have any say in city management spending or mis-spending decisions.
Contrary to popular belief, questioning municipal workers’ staffing levels, salaries, and generous benefit packages is not ‘bashing’.
Everybody knows there’s mis-management at all levels of City Hall, and the workforce is just one aspect. The workforce and the associated costs to maintain it have grown while the population hasn’t. This needs to be examined. The status quo is not acceptable.
The workers are not to blame due to this impending strike. This “were Taxpayers” mentality is so very childish. we ALL pay taxes on various levels and when I see the private sector mill workers turning down 2.5 and 3% wage increases….well THERE taxpayers to…..so by some peoples logic they can then afford to pass some of that increase back into the City they live in!? When I see the City of Quesnel quietly passing their new contract with raises and then see the City of PG about to go on strike for the first time in history…..quite frankly you need to take a LONG hard look at this Mayor and City Manager who are more concerned with their egos than avoiding discontinuation of services!
Some people seem to think that if the City was better run, there would be more money available for the Union Workers and staff.
This is vintage Union thinking. Save money from Management and give us raises and increase our benefits.
The real issue here is not the negotiations between Management and Unions, because they are all well paid and looked after.
Any savings in the next 5/10 years need to go to infrastructure, roads, DECREASE IN SERVICE CHARGES, AND DECREASE IN TAXES, AND DECREASES IN THE COST OF RUNNING THE CITY.
Taxpayers are tired of the same people wanting more, more, more. We want tax reductions, and better services. So that means its time for the City, Union, and Staff, to smarten up and join the real world.
To JohnyBelt
I assume the city workers get paid a fair wage. I am not saying they are under paid at all.
I believe in a negotiated contract from both sides, however the tactics of management with regards to negotiations is insulting.
Management should have negotiated with the union. This process was avoided as they took a business like approach towards the union. Do not negotiate and play hard ball. This approach is very successful for breaking unions, stripping contracts, and an all right war against labour.
In an ideal world management should have lead by example by practicing restraint. Then they could have negotiated a balanced fair contract with workers. At that time I’m sure the union would have accepted something less without this stupid insulting political game management is practicing.
That’s how I see it.
All you whine about 24/7 Palopu is your Taxes, guess what, EVERYONE pays them, even City Workers….every post I EVER see from you is about Firing everyone, contracting out Every city job and cutting wages more and More and MORE…CUT CUT CUT!! You have a very simplistic, childlike approach to living in a municipality. I Love how you put in capitols DECREASE TAXES DECREASE THE COST OF RUNNING THE CITY. Wow what amazing original ideas…May I use your own words in stating that perhaps YOU need to smarten up and “join the real world”!
Why not make City workers wages tax exempt and pay them less based on what they would have paid?
City workers ‘paying taxes’ is just a shell game when their wages are all tax dollars to begin with. I’m not sure why some people don’t understand this.
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