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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-02-07, Page 5It • • . 4' Iiiat...V.114.11.0.eattaci.44 . . `t. ;tag. 4 fir • • Islands in the stream • Writer asks why council considers hefty increase EDITOR'S NOTE — The following letter was sent to the Howick Town- ship Council with a copy mailed to this newspaper Township of Howick, Gorrie, Ontario NOG 1X0 • Dear Council: An article in the January 24 edi- tion of The Advance -Times, which dealt with council giving verbal agreement to employee and council- lor wages, was disturbing. The fact that council only approved the mat- ter verbally must mean some mem- bers have reservations about the new salary package. My question is why council is con sidering hefty wage increases to some employees in lieu of a benefit package? I trust councillors are aware of the consequences if bene- fits are removed from the salaries of the deputy -clerk, secretary, clerk and road superintendent. And coun- cil has also surely done its home- work to ensure Howick Township's wages are in line with other rural municipalities. The inherent danger of removing benefit packages, but including those "lost" dollars in an employ- ee's salary, in future salary negotia- tions and raises will be reflected on the total salary. This, if the, clerk who now earns $35,000, is increased to $40,000, the four or five per cent raise next year will unfairly be granted on asalant that allows -for a lost benefit package. It's unfair to grant raises on benefit packages, and instead, benefits must be kept separate. It's obvious to -see why employees would not want the town- , ship to provide a benefit package. Council muStalse remember why employees are given benefits — ther are not part of thesalary, but a bon- us or a perk. Benefits are an extra, given above and beyonitSalary. would be a step in reverse,for coun- cil to remove benefits. But, if it Wishas tO310,1A 'salatios-should not ri HIlito 110)1(4101 (I) 4°)Si7t1 Attu, Ul.i100 be increased to reflect that loss. Maybe an employee didn't want benefits in the first place because a spouse receives benefits. This hap- pens in business, and in such cases, benefits are not given, nor is an em- ployee given the cash in lieu of bene- fits. The second danger by removing benefits is people forget. They will forget council's decision in January or February 1989. A new council and new employees will wonder about benefits. No, Fees not think about what could happen. Instead let's keep the benefits. And give the clerk a $1,750 raise instead of more than $5,000. For your interest, Walkerton hired a new clerk, one with five years' ex - Letter merits publication, but has no signature Occasionally, we receive letters to the editor without any signature and, since our policy is to not publish unsigned letters, they are usually consigned to the waste -basket. Some of these, however, contain opinions .and -or rebuttals which merit publication. These opinions stand on their own and their author should have no mis- giving about attaching a signature to them. One such _letter arrived at our office this past week. Written by "a very concerned 4-1i member", it presents arguments to those who, in the writer's opinion, have been unfairly putting down the organization. Since it appears as though the missing signature could have been nothing more than an. oversight, The Advance -Times invites the Author to come into our office and sign the letter in order that it may then comply with our policy for publication. E. To) rVr04R,T04 A ro4A06,8 9r1l 'ovo perience with a rural municipality. His salary is $32,000, and he has a lot more duties than when he worked for the township. He gets benefits too. The last matter council must look at is the hefty raises being consider- ed for council members. Explain to me why the reeve should receive a $600 raise and the deputy -reeve and councillors $400. Did councillors not receive raises last year, or raises for,. thelast five years? And then there's the remuneration for attending spe- cial meetings, board meetings, all - day meetings, and conferences that require overnight stays. This system does not reward effort, only atten- dance. I trust council will reconsider its verbal decision of Jan. 17, by taking a close look at the problems being created and the consequences a bad decision will cause. Sincerely, Ron Wassink RR1, Wroxeter Council opposes trails proposal Morris Township Council has gone on record. as opposing a plan to convert abandoned rail lines to a trail system. Council is not in favor, at the present time, of Maitland Trail Association's proposal to have the • Canadian . Pacific Railways- line assunied by the province -and- con- verted to a trai1 system. Letters were sent to the trail association, Huron MPP Jabk ..Riddell and the ministry of trans- portation Memberssay they are not in favor of the proposal because it is not known who would be responsible for fences and drains along the route. A delegation of ratepayers op- posed to the trail association proposal will attend today's, rmisdafs). meeting Of ()As, e pia( 3c1 i I otirio 944% ,et . fil,6111 I rough 4) • a set of *OVA V* proposals at pr�teeting..e* arkthe-Sob lYgricers: TITIOUlteed AS 4.Mendments - overhaul the 040npatt and Safety Act ..by Gregory Sorbara, r�f�rm.. reflect the government's basic belief that safety in the workplace de- mands the, active partteinatbni both employers and empleYees: Proposed changes are designed to: -Give workers and employers greater joint responslbi, lily for health and----Safetn and greater - authority to reduce Workplace risks. --Provide 'labor And ma_nageroe With the edueatieirriiid trainiog they need to exercise their, authority 'fectively. --Provide for the stricter en- forcement of health and safety legislation by workplace parties and theOntario Ministry' of Labor. This in- cludes raising-, twenty fold — to S500,000 — the maximum, fine for corporations which violate the law. Creation of Agency One of the major highlights of the package of proposed amendments is the creation of a new joint labor- • management agency. • The Workplace Health and Safety Agency is designed to take the lead role in educating and training workers and employers in effective health and safety practices. As part of its mandate, the agency will engage in research and con- sultative services. In addition, it will provide advice to the minister of labor on future directions. Committee Expansions Another major thrust of the legis- lation calls for the expansion of the workplace health and safety com- mittees. These committees, consisting of representatives from both labor and management, will have greater responsibility for inspecting work- _ places and better access to informa- tion about workplace hazards. The law also will extend the requirement for health and safety committees to iirlude retail stores, flOtcOwor& joto,adftvt . 1,660* be. Oefitisetediet it* Wileit• takes- workplace parties to 'invest'. gate a refusal. to endanger, such as"liftmg hey 'The -single unwavering purpose of - these, Aniendinents is to imalte wOrkp1aee*"4$ saZe .as hinikanlY passible. In undertekingto meet that jSVOMIntf„.thtstMenfhlrentswillalsn- place Ow responsibilities on em- P17e .triPtong these are requirements to establish health and safety policies, • and training programs that meet new standards;. an obligation to respond in writing within 30 days to any recommendations made by a joint cOmtnittee or worker rep resentative; the placing of a duty of , care on corporate officers and directors in order to safeguard the • occupational health and safety of workers. Relationship Update Ontario Hydro, North America's largest utility, is to become more responsive to government policies and public priorities. This was the message from En- ergy Minister Robert Wong in an- nouncing that the government has undertaken the first major review of the Powe r Corporation Act in 15 years. The legislative package introduc- ed by the minister establishes the government's role, to outline the policy framework within which Hydro operates, acknowledges areas where Hydro excels, while recognizing that it is a public utility with a responsibility to serve the public interest. This review is one part of the government's speech from the throne, undertaking to encourage energy conservation and greater public input into the development 01 energy policy. stablish OPP hope to e community-based committee The Wingham detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police hopes to bring the police and larger commun- ity closer together through the formation of several committees. John McKee, Wingham OPP ser- geant, attended last week's meeting of East Wawanosh council to inform members of the OPP's plans, The Wingham detachmeilyserves five townships and two incorporated villages, explained Sgt. McKee in an interview after last week's meeting. What he is proposing dividing the iiiirionson•,•••=nr PRESS COUNCIL The Wingham Advance - Times is a member of the Ontario Press •Council which will consider writ- ten complaints about the publication of news, opin- ions and advertising. If a complaint cannot be re- solved with the newspa- per, it should be sent to the Ontario Press Coun- cil, 11 Slater St, Suite 708, Ottawa, Ontario K1 P 5H3 ');V entire area into three zones with a liaison officer for each. Within each of these three zones, a committee would be formed of in- terested citizens and possibly elected municipal officials. This committee would meet periodically with its liaison officer to discuss policing concerns in their vicinities. Community-based policing is not new to Ontario, but it is new to this district. Sgt. McKee says he hopes the committees can be in place by April 1. In the meantime, the police will be meeting with municipal represent- atives and informing them of their plans. Sgt. McKee says the police soon will be approaching people to sit on the various committees. East Wawanosh issues permit for new barn One building permit was approved M last week's meeting of East Wawanosh Council. The permit, for a barn, is for Siebolt Siertsema, east part of Lot 31, Con. 1. The esthnated value of the 60 X 60 foot structure is $250,000. f, '," '