Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinguni
Don't look at my union! Wages for bus operators haven't kept up with inflation over the last 25 years and are the lowest in Canada. I'd estimate we're 10% down taking inflation into account. Starting wage is too low to attract employees who will make it a career, actually too low to attract enough new operators at all, even with relaxed hiring standards. Wages for mechanics are still far below that of the private sector meaning very low retention. All of this actually drives up costs.
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Both CUPE and ATU seem to be the ones getting hit the hardest to pay for Fire and Police. Service levels have taken a huge nose dive in Public Works and PP&D over the past few years. A close friend works in one of those departments, and there is a LOT of deferred maintenance that is going to be a problem over the next few years. Essentially all new property tax revenue from new suburbs goes towards paying for police and fire pay increases and nothing else.