by George Orchiston On August 4, 2011, City of Powell River issued a press release advising that council had engaged the Helios Group, a Vancouver-based management consulting firm, to conduct a third party independent review of city services and operations and that any recommendations for change within the city will be evidence based and rely on objective analysis.
The Helios Group interviewed council, management, city staff and union members and further provided everyone the opportunity to comment on the accuracy of the report’s factual findings before it was released to the public.
March 27, 2012, the Helios Group published its final key findings and recommendations. It is clear from the report that, should its findings be implemented, the employment status for both staff and union members will be affected.
City council has now exercised its authority under section 142 (1) of the Community Charter and directed that a select committee of council be established to study the report’s findings and recommendations and advise council as to the implementation of those recommendations. The composition of this 15-member committee is: the mayor, three councillors, four staff, three members of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 798, one member of IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Local 1298 and three members of the public.
It is my view that the composition of this committee is flawed.
It should be clear to all that no matter how well intentioned staff and union employees may wish to be, it is only human that they will bring any conflicts of interest they have and biases to this committee table and attempt to protect their turf.
It is the role of council and its committees to set policy and decide matters, while the role of staff and employees is to implement and carry out council policy and decisions. These distinct roles should not be combined as permitted by council on this committee. This very subject is discussed in the Helios report, noting that the city has its governance challenges.
Mayor and council need to appreciate that the union is not certified under the Labour Relations Code of BC to represent the wishes of the residents of Powell River but rather it is legally recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for those certain employees. The union has a lawful duty to represent them, not the residents of Powell River. That is the role of city council.
One should not be surprised if at any meeting of the proposed committee, that the three union representatives would see any recommendations in the Helios report that apply to them through a union lens. It is their duty to do so.
My position that neither staff nor employees should be appointed to this committee is not a novel concept.
For example, the Local Government Act specifically disqualifies a city employee or salaried officer from being elected to or holding office as a member of city council. The logic behind this provision should be self-evident to all and a different standard should not be applied to a select committee.
I would respectfully request that city council reconsider the size and composition of this select committee of council.
George Orchiston was a power engineer in the power plant at Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River division for over 40 years.
