Council remains mum on privatization plans

JOHN MOORHOUSE Friday, July 9, 2010 PENTICTON Herald:
Supporters of laid-off Penticton Community Centre staff got a chance to air their opinions Wednesday night Ð but their biggest question remains unanswered. Mayor Dan Ashton and three other council members in attendance would not say whether they plan to privatize the facility when it reopens next spring. That issue remains up for negotiation with the city‘s union representatives. More than 100 people turned out to the town hall meeting at the Seniors Drop-In organized by CUPE local 608. They reiterated their support for the 36 staff members laid off in March when construction began on the $23-million upgrade to the community centre pool. Panelists included CUPE provincial president Barry O‘Neill and researcher Blair Redlin, along with Penticton community activist Tina Martin who collected almost 1,600 names on a petition in support of the existing community centre staff this spring. Martin sees the privatization issue as totally separate from the bargaining with CUPE over a new contract. “Are you going to privatize or not?” she asked council to strong applause from the audience. “That‘s the first question that I personally need answered.”

CUPE feels the community centre should remain a publicly operated facility, as it has for the past 29 years. Patti Finch, president of CUPE local 608, said the privatization issue isn‘t all about labour, it‘s also a community issue. About 20 of the 36 laid staff members are lifeguards. Most are part-time or relief staff who do not receive benefits Ð only the aquatic director and two senior lifeguards are full-time. Volunteers have also been left hanging, wondering what will happen to them if the community centre is privatized.. Long-time volunteer Lynn Crassweller noted Penticton relies on volunteers, pointing to Ironman and other events. However, she doubted a private facility would be as supportive. “I will not be volunteering for a privately run community centre,” she said flatly.

Martin noted the community centre operates with the help of 400 volunteers. “The community spirit will be lost if the community centre becomes a business,” she said. The union has served notice that it wants contract talks to begin, but no date has been set. Finch said she would be happy to sit down and discuss the privation issue before collective bargaining gets underway. “To me, it‘s not really a contract issue,” she said. “If we have a chance to straighten this issue out before we start bargaining, we‘d much prefer to do that. I think it would set a much more favourable tone for bargaining.”

Ashton denied any suggestion that council is delaying a decision until after the community centre reopens next March when the workers‘ 12-month seniority clause expires. “We‘re not waiting until March,” he said. “We‘re hear to listen. We want your input.” The mayor quoted an email city administrator Dennis Back sent the union leader regarding community centre lifeguards and seasonal workers. The city considers the issue is in keeping with a letter of understanding with CUPE regarding the outsourcing of services. Ashton reiterated that council wants to deal with the issue as soon as possible, but would not commit to an exact date. “The quicker the better for everybody,” he said. “The bulk of council was here tonight and we heard the passion that goes on in the community about that pool.” Ashton said council is focused on building the pool upgrade and getting it completed on time and on budget, but said council realizes the city has a top quality staff. Other council members attending the forum included councillors Garry Litke, Judy Sentes and John Vassilaki.