VANCOUVER—Taxpayers will be on the hook for more than $250,000 dollars if a Vancouver Park Board decision stands. At an in-camera meeting Monday night, the board voted to cut 15 bargaining unit positions and replace them with more expensive management positions. CUPE 15 president Paul Faoro says the move was made without any consultation with the Park Board workers` union.
“We were shocked to learn of the Park Board decision,” says Faoro. “Given the cost implications, this needs to be debated in the light of day, not in secret meetings. We have an elected park board with open agendas and meetings to ensure we have transparency and accountability with regards to managing our tax dollars and city workforces.”
CUPE 15 representatives were informed of the changes to the Community Recreation Coordinator (CRC) positions on October 7. Faoro says the cost of exempting 15 CRCs from the bargaining unit could be as high as $300,000, an increased cost of about $20,000 per employee.
Faoro wonders where the money will come from, given the tight budget situation facing the Park Board. “Will we see further cuts to community centres and already-frozen budgets to pay for such a reckless move?” asks Faoro. “It’s pretty clear we don’t need more managers; we need better services.”
CUPE is calling on the Park Board to withdraw the decision.
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Contact: Paul Faoro, CUPE Local 15 president: 604-202-1829