Editorials
October 23, 2008 12:37 AM
At a time households are worried about what lies ahead on the economic front, the people who take our tax dollars and give them to other people in the form of salaries might be a little sheepish about winning awards for how well they pay and what great perks they offer.
If you work for the Regional Municipality of York, it sounds like you’re doing pretty well.
The municipality has been named one of the top 75 companies to work for in the Greater Toronto Area by Media Corp Canada Inc.
The region was evaluated on numerous criteria including pay, vacations and health benefits as well as less tangible attributes like employee communications. Turns out they’re among the best. And it was no fluke.
It’s the third straight year the region has been recognized as a leading employer.
The region argues it pays top dollar, offers great benefits and is generous in terms of vacations because that’s what’s in the best interests of the people who are actually paying these salaries, York Region taxpayers.
“York Regional Council works hard to ensure our taxpayers’ needs are met by creating and fostering workplace programs that instill a sense of pride and commitment to service excellence among all of our staff,” York Region chairperson and CEO Bill Fisch said.
“This accolade demonstrates our residents and businesses are receiving high quality programs and value-added services by highly professional and dedicated regional employees.”
The municipality is one of the largest employers in York Region with more than 3,000 employees. Hundreds of them were on the so-called sunshine list of Ontario public servants making more than $100,000 last year.
Keep in mind collective agreements — the result of years of negotiations — have put salaries where they are today. The management positions move up accordingly.
But does the region pay too much?
It is clear that, to get good people who will provide good service, the region must offer good compensation rates and benefits. It is in competition with other employers and even other governments and must respond. Nothing worse than sadsacks dragging their feet as they lament their low pay.
What is not so clear is whether or not, if there is an economic downturn, the region and in fact all governments at all levels, will have the intestinal fortitude to put limits on its hiring or more closely examine what its citizens can afford. Let’s hope we dodge that bullet.