By STEPHAN BURNETT, Weyburn Review Editor
City Hall announced the signing of a new four-year collective agreement, for the Weyburn Professional Firefighters Association on Monday night in council chambers.
The agreement covers four career firefighters for the period Jan. 1, 1997 through to Dec. 31, 2000.
The City states the agreement was tentatively reached on Dec. 17, 1998, during negotiations between the association and labour consultants. Labour consultant Bill Humeny and Gerry Huget president of the Saskatchewan Professional Firefighters Association worked together to hammer out the deal.
The settlement comes after two years of bargaining with the end rates bringing local firefighters closer to the average wage paid for firefighters within smaller Saskatchewan cities.
Increases for a first-class firefighter are as follows:
For 1997 there is a retroactive raise of 1.25 per cent. On Jan. 1, 1998, there is another 1.25 per cent retroactive raise and another 1.25 per cent hike in Sept. 1 of this year. The overall retroactive pay for the firefighters is close to $3,400, said city controller Stan Runne after the meeting.
As of Jan. 1, 1999, the firefighters will receive another two per cent increase. On Sept. 1, of this year, the contract made for another 1.25 per cent pay raise while in January, 2000, the firefighters will receive a two per cent raise.
City Hall reports the 10-per-cent increase for firefighters over four years compounds out to a 10.43 per cent raise over the length of the contract. At the same time, the eligibility for an extra week's vacation within the package is reduced from 18 years to 17 years.
Councillor Wahl commended labour consultant Bill Humeny on a job well done.
Councillor Button agreed saying the firefighter's contract was an issue grappled with by council since it was elected. Button added she was happy with the contract and hoped the firefighters would also happy with the contract.
Mayor Don Schlosser also said he was happy to see there was finally an agreement on the issue.
Councillor Button reported the environmental committee had met on Dec. 17, and the meeting was well attended. Button also said the committee was unsuccessful in convincing local moteliers to introduce a the water-conservation program involving hanging up towels to be reused after one day by the same guests. She also said the committee is still considering the green exchange to coincide with clean-up month next May.
Councillor Rudachyk reported the board of police commissioners met on Dec. 21.
A loading zone was denied on the east side of the Weyburn Square Mall parking zone.
Councillor Wahl later asked why the request had been denied.
Rudachyk responded the zone was used only for approximately 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon and after close inspection, it was found there were only a few occasions where the bay was occupied.
Wahl then asked if the delivery personnel would be able to double park with flashers if the area was occupied. Rudachyk responded if the area was occupied, then another nearby stall could be used.
Rudachyk also noted the recent request for additional snowmobile access routes to the city has been denied by the board of police commissioners.
Councillor Marlene Nedelcov responded by saying the routes along the Souris River Valley were still open to snowmobilers but added the snowmobilers have been reported to be exercising some lack of judgment around the trees near Green Acre Cemetery. At the end of his report Rudachyk wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
City commissioner Bob Smith reports the new condenser for the Colosseum will not be installed in time for the SaskPower-Scott Tournament of Hearts, the provincial women's curling championship. On Nov. 4, Smith was contacted and informed the former contractor, Ziolkowsky Construction, was simply too busy to carry out the installation of the condenser. Smith immediately contacted Clif Anderson and Able Van Winkoop to see if they could do the job. The Anderson bid was approved by the City on Nov. 9 and the final pour of concrete was completed Dec. 14. However, Stevenson Industrial, the supplier of the condenser, advised it might be too risky to put the $55,000 unit on its new foundation prior to the Scott. Stevenson Industrial assures the City it will be available during the tournament to ensure the old condenser works to optimum levels.
At the end of the meeting Mayor Schlosser pronounced some Christmas cheer.
"A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I think 1998 was a very good year and I'm hoping things will be as good in 1999," said Schlosser.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: production@weyburnreview.com
This web page and its contents are copyright of the Weyburn
Review (1987) Ltd.