I am writing in response to the editorial on Friday Jan. 10 regarding legal costs for labour negotations with city employees. Interesting how the Mr. Godbout in previous artictles mentioned how the union got a sweetheart deal during last round of contract talks.
Correct me if I am wrong, but were not the last negotations and many years prior done in house. That went really well with the highest percentage increases in the province.
I would consider this "the fox in the hen house" situation. If you are management negotiating a contract for city workers, whatever the union receives I would assume management would get likewise in percentage increases.
Hiring a lawyer, i.e. third party, was what should have been done in years past and is the proper avenue to go regarding negotiating with staff.
To waste ink on how much it costs who cares; how much did it costs the taxpayer in the last contract talks that were done in house.
As for the refusal to not disclose the cost as being a political decision I would have to agree it is a foolish one. Have no idea what council is afraid of. They made the right decision in the first place. Stand by it. Pretty sure the taxpayer can handle it.
Gordon Bliss
Prince George
