Save the BC Ferries: Cut Employee Costs

Dear editor,

It was probably no surprise to most people that B.C. Transportation Minister Stone announced that the service cuts would go ahead for BC Ferries, totally ignoring passenger and resident concerns.

Making seniors pay half of the passenger fare will not save as much as they forecast because some seniors will cut back on how often they travel.

Talking about seniors, will these fare increases and service cuts reduce seniors from the Prairies who may have been planning to retire on Vancouver Island or the nearby smaller islands?

Of course there are obvious solutions.

Having over 600 hundred mangers (including 12 vice-presidents) and administrative staff is excessive, very inefficient and unnecessary, particularly when compared to Washington State ferries.

Washington ferries have one manager for every 40 workers. B.C. has one manager for every eight workers.

In 2010, about half of BC Ferries’ 4,200 workers earned over $75,000. (More recent figures are hard to come by).

Eliminating half of those managers/admin staff could produce $30 million in savings. Also, eliminating free employee and retiree passes — another $9 million.

What about the union workers with a 100-per-cent fully funded benefits plan? A gift shop cashier earns $24.49 per hour, ticket attendant at boarding booth, $24.85 per hour, coffee shop attendant, $23.35 per hour, and a third cook $27.51 per hour, with pay raises coming April 1, 2014, and April 1, 2015.

No doubt with so many employees, a number of union positions could be cut as well.

BC Ferries has lost ridership of some one million passengers and half a million vehicles, compared to about three years ago, in a period when the economy and population has been recovering and growing.

Properly managing employee costs would result in reduced future fare increases and reinstating some of the service cuts recently announced and reverse the decline in ridership.

Ed Zirkwitz,

• posted Feb 26, 2014 at 10:00 AM - Comox Valley Record
http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/opinion/letters/247292511.html

Passengers won't come just because BC Ferries builds things

Dear editor,

Gord Macatee, BC Ferries commissioner, delivered his review of the Coastal Ferry Act in January 2012.

The report contained 24 major recommendations for government, BC Ferries, ferry users and other stakeholders, all intended to better balance the interests of ferry users with the financial sustainability of BC Ferries.

The review clearly indicated that all of the principle stakeholders will need to be part of the solution to achieve a ferry system that is both affordable and financially sustainable.

One area I want to focus on here is the decline in ridership statistics, which I gleaned from the BC Ferries website. The fiscal year ends on March 31.

For the 2010 fiscal year, total vehicles (on the entire BC Ferries system) was 8,252,489 and total passengers was 21,037,169. For 2011: 8,119,546 and 20,746,222; for 2012: 7,837,919 and 20,169,977 and for 2013: 7,748,743 vehicles and 19,919,096 passengers.

This is all occurring during a time of overall improvements in the economy. The obvious conclusion is that there is a problem with the strategies, management and running of  BC Ferries.

The model that BC Ferries seems to be using seems is something along the line of, "If we build and upgrade the ferries and terminals, they will come."

Well, wake up, BC Ferries — they are not coming but actually leaving in droves — half a million vehicles and over million passengers from some four years ago.

The current BC Ferries was created in 2003 but it is a monopoly in the true sense of the word. For example, with BC Hydro, we can find alternative sources of electricity: solar, generators or save/conserve electricity through various means.

The B.C. government fully subsidizes 14 inland (non-BC Ferries) routes and with some of those routes there are alternate routes people can choose to drive instead. However, with BC Ferries the only reasonable options (outside of flying) is to take the ferry and pay the ever-increasing prices or not to.

High ferry rates have reduced ridership. Rates are high because of the Cadillac service BC Ferries wants to provide. Management's past policies and decisions have resulted in taking on unsustainable debt.

That is the basic reason for the planned massive service cuts and expected to continue future rate increases.

They have no one to blame but themselves. If BC Ferries truly was providing a good service coupled with reasonable ferry rates, then the ridership should be going up, not down.

Ed Zirkwitz,

Royston

Published December 18, 2013 Comox Valley Record.

Those other Ottawa Senators...

       

From the Parliament of Canada Senate home page I discovered the following: Senators’ main jobs are to examine bills proposed by the Government. Bills in the Senate go through a similar process of debate as in the House of Commons, and a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law. Any senator may take part in the debate on a bill and propose amendments. In addition, senators may propose their own bills and initiate debates in the Chamber.   Senators also work in committees, that is, groups of 5 to 15 senators who focus on a specific policy area.

        Not included in the job description on their website is any reference to “an alternate source of entertainment to the other Ottawa Senators—that hockey team”.  In airport lounges and sports bars patrons may now flip channels to see which is the most exciting.   Whether it is in the House of Commons, the ‘red chamber’ or on the ice, the play is similar:  who is on defence, who is taking shots, who is on thin ice or who is checking whom against the boards?  But, alas, it appears nobody has been checking anybody.   The whole affair reminds me of what Sir Walter Scott said: “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”

          Now that three senators are up against the boards--possibly facing multiple game suspensions-- they are fighting back.  So the question becomes:  who is telling the truth and how much of the truth?  Should the Prime Minister’s Office seemingly have such power over the Senate, a separate body in a democratic country?  I think not. It is sad to see that our government leaders, in both Houses, involved in corruption and cover-up.  The shenanigans in the US Congress may have to take a back seat to us when this is all over.  Now is the time for us citizens of Canada to express our outrage to our Members of Parliament.

          This kind of entertainment comes at a cost.  The credibility of our leaders is in question.  They have been entrusted with so much responsibility, power and proper spending of taxpayers’ money.  History has shown us that when the citizenry of a country become complacent that, in a way we get what we deserve.  We deserve honest, credible, responsive government willing to serve the people.  IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU DESERVE  HONEST, CREDIBLE, RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT, TAKE UP YOUR PEN AND PAPER, DRAFT AN EMAIL, OR COMPOSE A TWEET TO YOUR MP AND PRIME MINISTER. DEMAND CHANGES THAT WILL BRING BACK OUR RESPECT FOR THOSE IN GOVERNMENT.  ARE YOU WILLING TO ?

At last, the job Senators are supposed to be doing revealed - Comox Valley Record November 5, 2013 http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/opinion/letters/230557331.html … via @BlackPressMedia

Not Yet Ready for the Smart Meter

Dear editor,

Recently I was visited at home by a Corix contractor/employee because I have so far refused to have a smart meter installed at our residence.

This BC Hydro representative asked if I had any questions about smart meters and also to inform me regarding smart meters. To me it sounded more like a sales job to convince me to get one installed.

He told me things such as: Europe has had them for over 10 years, California installed three different ones and the one BC Hydro chose was the best of the bunch and this Itron model had no problems in California.

Of course, he did not inform me of negative stuff until I brought that up. He agreed with me that there have been wiring problems and fires here in B.C. but that all of them have been repaired at no cost to the home owner.

What about the electrical overcharges? Yes, those meters have been replaced and some of those higher charges are seasonal fluctuations.

Will we get higher evening rates such as exist in Ontario? No, because Ontario has to purchase extra electricity during peak times at higher rates.

What about the B.C. government and BC Hydro agreeing to pass legislation that bypassed public scrutiny (e.g. BC Utilities Commission)? Well, that’s politics.

He told me that I could not opt out of the installation initiative. I explained that recently B.C. politicians made it sound like we would not be forced to have one installed.

He told me that an election is coming. I told him that I would not accept a smart meter to be installed in my home until the BC Utilities Commission gives a positive review of the process and the safety of the meters.
>>>published March 13, 2013 in the Comox Valley Record<<<

Can We Change 137 Years of Bad History?

 Although the ‘Idle No More” movement seems now to be idle, it sparked nationwide debate and awareness recently regarding the plight of First Nations citizens as well as the difficulties that governments find themselves  in, politically and financially. A month or so ago the promised conflict resolution rhetoric was forefront but where is it now?  Most news stories last about 3 or so weeks and then it is time to move on to something new. Now that it is no longer in the news are things back to square one?

 Since the onset of the 1876 Indian Act Aboriginals and governments have been shackled into an often dysfunctional relationship, a relationship of government largesse, administrative abuse and a not so benevolent overseer. For Aboriginals this has resulted in dependency, complacency and confusion.  Both sides are locked into the blame game without coming up with any answers and actions. On the Aboriginal side with so many ‘players in the field’ (over 600 reserves) the Idle No More catalyst into nationwide debates  has revealed that not everyone can agree on many of the issues and resolutions except on perhaps two--- the Indian Act has to go and economic prosperity for Aboriginals would certainly go a long way. On the government side certain leaders have voiced in similar tones.  The Indian Act has marginalized over half a million Canadians into second-class citizens and will limit the economic growth of Canada.  Estimates of $ 500 billion of future resource related projects may hang in the balance. 

Over the next ten years some 400,000 aboriginals will be ready to enter the work place but today there is no evidence that a meaningful number of them can and will be trained to take advantage of the forecast chronic skills shortage.  To meet that need there is currently a strong focus to look outside the country, to immigrants for much of that skill set. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity now to start to undo 137 years of bad history.

(Published in the Comox Valley Record at http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/opinion/letters/192391011.html )

College Students Will Appreciate Sound of Sirens

(published in the Comox Valley Record, December 4, 2012)

Dear editor,

I was recently at a neighbourhood Christmas party and the dinner topic turned to ‘the best location for the new hospital.’

Dave said that he wrote a letter to the editor stating that the latest location was bad but they wouldn't print his letter. I asked why not?

He said it was because he called the decision-makers ‘dumb asses.’

As I later reflected on what others at the table described as better locations, I then realized that the location next to NIC is in fact a great location.

Dave stated that Ryan Road and Lerwick will no doubt become the busiest and most dangerous traffic intersection locally. Hey, Dave, they won’t have far to go to get emergency care.

And with such a busy intersection the police will be able to give out many tickets without having to travel to more remote areas.  A more congested North Island College (NIC) campus will mean more parking spots. You know, all those trees have become such an eyesore, so it will be nice to see them gone along with the odd cougar, bear and locals walking their dogs.

Getting rid of the neighbouring playing field is a good idea — better to spend more time driving to a distant one. Helicopters flying in with patients will provide a pleasant distraction.

What about this idea that not enough land will be available for the new hospital? No problem, they just have to build more underground. We don’t get that much sunlight here in the winter so what is the big deal?

The students will come to appreciate the sounds of sirens to supply that needed break from their studies or paying attention in class.  Those living near the hospital, every time they hear a siren, will be happy to say: "I’m glad that’s not me in that ambulance.”

And for those who are getting tired of that small town feeling they thought they were catching by living in that local area: Don’t worry; it will soon be gone.

Not Needing Oil Has Cost for BC

The following was published October 19, 2012 in the Comox Valley Record.

PREMIER CHRISTY CLARK's stance toward Premier Alison Redford of Alberta (right) comes with a cost, notes Ed Zirkwitz of Royston.  (appeared in Comox Valley Record October 19, 2012) -Black Press

It seems that our Premier, Christy Clark, as of late, is going around the province bragging how great our provincial economy is.

  Is that a great thing to do when she in effect has prorogued the fall sitting of the BC Legislature?  

Recently in Nanaimo, she addressed a Vancouver Island economic summit.  According to the Edmonton Journal: “…Premier Christy Clark took aim at Alberta Tuesday in an election-style speech where she boasted her province doesn't need oil to be the country's top economic generator… She drew mild applause from the business crowd when she said B.C.'s job creation numbers are currently tops in Canada, ahead of Alberta, and B.C. has done it without oil revenues.“

  I thought I would check the facts.

  According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers BC produces about one per cent of the oil produced in Canada.  However, BC produces almost 25 per cent of Canadian natural gas, according to the NEB.

  Then there are plans for 8 new mines and upgrades to 9. Hey, we may even get the Raven coal mine here in our own back yard. 

Apparently there could be more coal extracted from there to exceed ALL the coal ever previously mined on all of Vancouver Island.  Yes, we may not need oil so our premier is able to tell Premier Alison Redford to shove it.  

 But this wonderfully rosy picture rests strongly on natural resources.  Also, don’t forget the forestry and the fisheries.  

So what if we are still hewers of wood and drawers of water you might ask?  

I suppose it is important for the economic pundits to tell us to strike while the iron is hot.  After all there are more seniors and up and coming seniors to support.  

Educate the younger workers to work in the resources and constructions sectors.  That will allow more seniors down the road to work in the service sector.  

Who doesn't want to flip burgers at McDonalds in their retirement years?  Now wouldn’t that be grand?