BC MLA 15% Increase

[Yman]

Our BC politicians decided to give themselves a pay increase of 15% and they pushed the legislation through in less than two hours-- both the NDP & LIBERALS. No notice, no discussion, no anything. And they've reintroduced their PENSION plan that the NDP threw out a few years ago. And all of this a few months before some of the large public service unions conrtacts are renewed. And this on top of a 5% increase a little less than a year ago.

And I voted LIBERAL, and I wouldn't even consider a vote NDP. But now.....

 

[planetsmurf]

surprise,surprise,surprise what assholes,

 

[Maury Beniowski]

I think they deserve much more... 35%, 50%?

The Liberals have done a superb job, and the economy has responded in kind. Unemployment is at an all-time low, wages are rising as a consequence, disputes with the Public sector are being setlled - even illegal ones, our credit rating is lowering, we are enjoying surpluses, and our economy is the darling of the other Canadian provinces.

Some Unions are saying they will expect similar increases next spring. Comparing the cost of those increases with the ones the government has given itself is like comparing apples and oranges, as it pertains to size anyway. The total amount of dollars for this increase is spread out over a few hundred people, compared to Public sector Unions whose membership are in the tens of thousand.

Raising the salary of an MLA to $80K (=/-) is small amount to pay for the amazing kickstart they have given the provincial economy. On the other hand, it is quite amusingly ironic that the NDP and the Green Party voted unanimously in favour of the raise, when they had very little to do with the success, but much to do with the downfall. Nothing like riding the coattails of the good times and happy days.

 

[Yman]

Nothing like giving yourself a pat on the back. But I think it would be more appropriate for those increases to be linked to meeting budgets, etc.-- like they did in their first term.

Shame on those NDP members who voted on this.

And I believe once again the liberals are only increasing the animosity and rift between themselves and labour. And given the contorversies with education and now the social services nightmare with uninvestigated child deaths , I would say the discontent will be very wide spread.

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

The Liberals have done a superb job, and the economy has responded in kind. Unemployment is at an all-time low, wages are rising as a consequence, disputes with the Public sector are being setlled - even illegal ones, our credit rating is lowering, we are enjoying surpluses, and our economy is the darling of the other Canadian provinces.

Some Unions are saying they will expect similar increases next spring. Comparing the cost of those increases with the ones the government has given itself is like comparing apples and oranges, as it pertains to size anyway. The total amount of dollars for this increase is spread out over a few hundred people, compared to Public sector Unions whose membership are in the tens of thousand.

Raising the salary of an MLA to $80K (=/-) is small amount to pay for the amazing kickstart they have given the provincial economy. On the other hand, it is quite amusingly ironic that the NDP and the Green Party voted unanimously in favour of the raise, when they had very little to do with the success, but much to do with the downfall. Nothing like riding the coattails of the good times and happy days.

I agree with you 100%!

If we expect to hire and maintain honest and intelligent politicians then we should compensate them accordingly. In addition paying them well could prevent all sorts of corruption and encourage higher calibers of people to run for office.

Last I checked the premier of our province (feel free to correct the number if outdated) was making $105k/yr. For the task and level of budget he's expected to run this is inadequate unless we want alleged gangsters to be building decks for his summer cottage; and intend to pay the legal fees to defend the corruption charges that result!

 

[bigguy]

Yo Maury

You've stated the half of the equation that suits your argument. What happens when (or if) the B.C. economy you so proudly trumpet (as an excuse for these obscene increases) goes into the ditch. Of course there will be no claw back for a negative performance. My question was simply rhetorical.

The optics are disgusting, particularly the less visible increases re pension and allowances. What kind of attitude or expectations do you feel the members of unions coming up for negotiation are entitled to have?

There's nothing like a monopoly!!! As Campbell says: "The public will be the final judge on these increases." Or words to that effect. Like we have an alternative to vote for parties/individuals OTHER THAN these fucking bandits. Personally I've always attempted to lead by example. Politicians in North America, in general, continue to be a thoughtless bunch of self-serving suckers. Disillusion reigns supreme!!

bigguy

 

[mustangjoe]

The Liberals have done a superb job, and the economy has responded in kind. Unemployment is at an all-time low, wages are rising as a consequence.

I say give credit where credit is due. The Liberals have done a good job in my book, but the Liberals are taking credit for issues they have no control over. They keep on giving us this garbage about how they saved the local economy. Bullshit. Sure, BC's labour market is booming like never before. Unemployment is at 5.1%. However, it is documented that half of the job growth has been construction related. The truth of the matter is low interest rates and the pursuing housing frenzy kick started this economy. I'm sure the Liberals will take credit for interest rate drops if they could get away with it. The Liberals are just the benefactors of lucky timing.

What are they going to say when the housing boom is over?

 

[SJD]

This raise makes me sick to my stomach.

Just a few weeks ago the Liberals fought nail and tooth with the teachers saying there is no money. You guys get 0, 0, and 0.

Kids were out of school for 2 weeks! They took the teachers to court, and bragged about how much money they saved from the strike.

Mike de Jong said how would it look if we gave teachers some money while all other public sector unions got 0%. Fair enough!!!

But how could you 2 weeks later give yourself a raise. Why didn't they wait until the spring until the Freeze on wages was off!


Gordon Campbell is a moron who has no tact!

 

[bigguy]

Yo SJD

Not JUST a raise. 15% is grossly indecent. The provincial Liberals need a reality check. I concede that reasonable and adequate compensation for MLA's is warranted. But, considering Campbell's (and yes it is HIS cabinet that HE controls) widespread cutting and trimming of the various workplace sectors over the past three years, why wouldn't those workers affected be particularly incensed at the size of this blatant cash grab.

If we choose to introduce into my argument the term MERIT, how can Campbell personally justify an increase as against a REDUCTION in his compensation when you consider that HE has finally acknowledged his government's abominal performance with the last children's deaths fiasco under his Minister. That little beady-eyed crook makes me sick. Oooops!! I'm getting too personal. Time to chill.

bigguy

 

[niteowl]

Just typical politicians that know where their priorities lay.
Education? No money
Health Care? No money
Public Sector workers wage increase? No money
MLA Raise? Of Course
Olympics? Who do I make the cheque out to?
Canucks in trouble? How much do they need?

 

[Hardatwork]

Last I checked the premier of our province (feel free to correct the number if outdated) was making $105k/yr.

Global newscast reported last night that he was making $120K a year, and now with his raise it will be $146K a year... pretty hefty pay increase.

I've always believed that leaders lead by example. If they are advocating a 0% increase for other public employees, then that's what they should be getting. What's the most appalling is the NDP went along with it. At the very least they could have voted against the pay raise, lost and still received the pay increase anyways but ended up looking like the good guys.

The timing is incredibly bad, having won a victory against the teachers a couple of weeks ago and with HEU contracts that need to be renewed in the spring of 2006... pretty stupid.

 

[Cock Throppled]

Saying we have to pay high salaries to get competent, honest politicians is a crock. MP's are the highest paid and there have been financial scandals galore. Trumpeting the economy as a justification ditto. Do they take rollbacks when the economy goes tits up? They all (NDP and Liberal) knew they were wrong,that's why they connived in secret to ram the legislation thru in record time. Then they ducked the press. What gutless cowards. What they've all just said is "No soup for you, but me, I'll have two portions, and fuck off, you annoying peasants." They are all greedy pigs. Did any one of them announce during the election campaign this would be one of their priorities? And don't forget the platinum pension plan, too.

 

[greenvalley]

Seeing politicians take credit for market conditions makes me laugh.

Let’s See,

Did the liberals make Vancouver, Kalowna, etc become retirement destinations and lower interest rates to get everyone else hooked on over priced real estate? Some great plan to create a construction boom?

Did the liberals rig the energy market so oil and gas went way up?

Did the liberals make the Chinese demand for steel go so high as to pay double the price for coking coal and therefore make the coal industry viable?

The only thing they did: is to not try to revitalize the dead ship building industry by building some incredibly stupid high speed catamarans.

The liberals are now setting up for another major union battle with their pay hikes. I don't care what anyone thinks. More money does not equal better politicians, that is a myth like the Easter bunny. Politicians are usually failed lawyers or car salesman looking to legitimize themselves. They work very little get huge pay and give themselves fat pensions. Basically a leach in a suit.

And just so you guys get the facts straight. Its more than a 15 % increase, they have already quietly clawed back the 5% from the previous pay rise they said they wouldn't take. So it’s a 20% increase, plus they have re-introduced the pension. Though they tell you the pension is now more reasonable than the pension they tried put through last time before it blew up in their face. No one has given any details on the pension though.

 

[gossie]

The Liberals created an enviroment that gave comfort to the investment community and encouraged the return of capital that fled the province due to policies adopted by the NDP. The record speaks volumes when you track the timing of the current construction boom. Sure the interest rates had more than a little cause and effect on the economy but that same interest rate policy was applicable to the other provinces that haven't shown the same type of positive results. On the other hand the way they went about this increase with little or no public debate is more than a little distastefull.

 

[The Lizard King]

I have a bigger issue with the retroactive pensions....

 

[greenvalley]

The Liberals created an enviroment that gave comfort to the investment community and encouraged the return of capital that fled the province due to policies adopted by the NDP. The record speaks volumes when you track the timing of the current construction boom. Sure the interest rates had more than a little cause and effect on the economy but that same interest rate policy was applicable to the other provinces that haven't shown the same type of positive results. On the other hand the way they went about this increase with little or no public debate is more than a little distastefull.

You forgot one part of my question. "retirement destination" that is the reason we have a more pronounced boom in construction than other places. But like most things in BC they are very short sighted. Its great for the developers to sell them apartments, but we get stuck with the medical bills of an ageing population. We need a balanced population, younger people need sustainable jobs, which isn't going to come from a construction boom.

We are an investment climate for what? real estate, gas exploration? Thats about it, we have no manufacturing to speak of. The liberals have done nothing to make it more atractive at all, they are pretty much the same as the NDP. I have seen way more manufacturing leave here than will ever come here over the years. We need to cut government costs and that doesn't happen with politicians stuffing their pockets with money.

 

[rickoshadows]

I have a bigger issue with the retroactive pensions....

Agreed, I would double their pay in exchange for scrapping their pension plan. That way, when we vote the fuckers out, we never have to pay them another cent.

 

[noneasgood]

Global newscast reported last night that he was making $120K a year, and now with his raise it will be $146K a year... pretty hefty pay increase.

I've always believed that leaders lead by example. If they are advocating a 0% increase for other public employees, then that's what they should be getting. What's the most appalling is the NDP went along with it. At the very least they could have voted against the pay raise, lost and still received the pay increase anyways but ended up looking like the good guys.

The timing is incredibly bad, having won a victory against the teachers a couple of weeks ago and with HEU contracts that need to be renewed in the spring of 2006... pretty stupid.

I agree.

Whether or not they deserve pay raises is debatable, but the optics of this are terrible.

They might as well have passed wage contraint legislation on the public unions at the same time cause that's certainly what they'll have to do in the near future. At the very least they could have waited a year until these multiyear labour negotiations had been settled.

 

[festealth]

of course politicians deserves more money, it shouldn't even be an issue. obviously the timing couldn't be any worse, lol. but when you think of the expenses politicians have just to be a politicians, the raise would be understandable. all mla, mp's as well, must have an office in their constituiency which they have to pay with their own money. and if you don't live near victoria (in this case), you'll have to either buy a place to live there or constantly rent out suites in the hotel/motel. so lets just say the office costs only 1000 per month (utilities and staff already included) and plus the living area in victoria lets just say 1000 as well, that's 24000 per year the politicians must pay, and we should remind ourselves that they too have families to raise and homes to pay off as well. so 80000 - 24000 = 56000 prior to taxes, so basically they're not really overpaid, more underpaid compared to some jobs those people can get in the business world.

enough ranting for me

 

[Sir Jim]

I couldn't even start to poon I had to live on an MP's salary, let alone the
Premiere's. Give em a break. Double their wages so that we can get some brighter lights going over there.

Highly trained and well skilled engineers and executives, not to mention many attorneys all make significantly more than our Premiere and they couldn't afford to lose four to eight years of there productive earnings years to donate their time to running our province. That is where there pension helps to buffer their personal losses.

Timing was bad, but when would it ever be better. I would also like to see a comparison by province to see where we stand across the nation in remuneration.