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Reid challenges Premier's hypocrisy when it comes to salary increases for his staff May 01, 2007
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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is amazed that Premier Williams just gave staff members in his office salary increases amounting to approximately $100,000 a year, even though public sector workers were forced to take wage freezes and the premier was actively encouraging FPI plant workers to take wage cuts a few short months ago. In comparison, members of the premier=s staff are receiving salary increases up to 17 per cent in this year=s budget. AThe premier is on record as stating that FPI workers should take a wage cut in order to keep their jobs,@ said Mr. Reid. AMeanwhile, the premier just gave his political staff salary increases which amount to $13,000 a year for some, more than most fish plant workers make during an entire year. If the premier cannot the see the irony in these actions, I am certain that FPI plant workers throughout the province certainly will. I also find it very unfortunate that the Member for Burin-Placentia West refuses to speak out against these increases, while apparently supporting the premier=s directive for plant workers in his district to accept a wage cut.@ Reid noted that the Chief of Staff in the Premier=s Office will make $131,000 this year, a raise of 8.1 per cent. The Director of Communications will make $102,000 a year, an increase of 13.8 percent. The Director of Operations will make $82,000, an increase of 16.8 percent. The premier recently hired a Deputy Chief of Staff, a new position that pays $95,000 a year. His Special Advisor will be paid $93,000 a year, an increase of 8.2 per cent. The premier=s principal advisor will be paid $90,000, an increase of 8.2 per cent; and the Manager of Community Outreach just got a 16.7 per cent wage increase to $80,000. AI find these increases difficult to understand given the two year wage freeze that was imposed on all public sector workers and only a modest three per cent raise was approved in this year=s budget. We also have home care support workers making minimum wage and no action plan by government to address this issue. If the premier feels massive wage increases for his staff are the priority, I suggest he re-evaluate the skilled labour shortages in healthcare that we have in many areas of our province and invest salary dollars into those professions. This appears to be another case of misplaced priorities as the premier has no problem giving money to his friends and political associates.@ |
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