Writers make case for private-sector unions

Re: “B.C. must rein in public-sector wages, benefits,” comment, July 10. The authors make a compelling case for a stronger union presence in the private sector.

They state that a recent study by the right-wing Fraser Institute found government employees (mostly unionized) receive on average 7.4 per cent higher wages than comparable workers in the private sector (mostly non-union) in the province.

They say that total compensation also includes pensions, early retirement and job security.

Well, they are out of date. Job security went south in the B.C. government with the previous Gordon Campbell Liberal government, and to a lesser extent with the previous NDP government.

Of the pension benefits, 25 cents of every dollar paid in benefits from the fully funded B.C. government employees’ pension fund comes from approximately equal employee and employer contributions. The remaining 75 cents comes from investment returns, the result of joint union/employer management of the pension fund.

Early retirement is up to the individual worker and more time off for personal reasons is a negotiated benefit. Governments are making every effort to ensure pay equity between men and women.

As stated above, the authors make a strong case for a stronger union presence in the private sector so that employees can enjoy better wages, better pensions and better working conditions. Charles La Vertu Victoria