October 6, 2000

CLARIFICATION ON THE COST OF THE STRIKE
TO THE CITY OF VANCOUVER

City’s biggest budget items still in operation

Despite the ongoing strike by CUPE Local 15, the City of Vancouver is still incurring costs to maintain core operations. And while the City is not paying salaries for employees who are not working during the strike, there are other significant cost implications to the City as a result of the labour dispute.

The City’s biggest budget items, which are Police, Fire and Emergency services, are still in operation. As well, the City continues to provide and incur costs related to sewer and water and other infrastructure expenses (e.g., street lighting, emergency repairs).

In an effort to maintain other core services, the City has redeployed its 400 exempt staff. Many of these employees are working both day and evening shifts, doing such activities as handling emergencies, answering phones, cleaning buildings, and providing security. These remaining staff are working an average of 25 hours of overtime a week.

"It is difficult to calculate the true costs of this strike until it is over," said Judy Rogers, City Manager. "Although we are not issuing pay cheques to CUPE employees, we are losing revenue. As well, there will be costs associated with "catching-up" once the strike is over. Only then, can the City assess the full cost implications."

The loss of revenue to the City stems from such thing as the closure of golf courses and reduced on-street parking meter collection. Other revenues from such items as permits and licenses will be deferred until after the strike.

Once the strike is over, the City will face a significant backlog of service issues and there will be costs associated with clearing up these backlogs. In addition to garbage collection, this includes issuing permits, conducting building inspections, issuing business and construction licences, and processing payments.

 

For further information on how city services are affected by the strike, please visit our Web site at www.city.vancouver.bc.ca.

For more information contact: Catherine Clement, 873-7270 

 

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