Houston Today, December 18, 2013

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COMMUNITY: Weekly Police Report

SPORTS: Figure Skating Winners

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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District plans cost cuts By Jackie Lieuwen Houston Today

QUILTERS Donate

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The Cut Loose Quilters of Houston donated 20 baby and youth quilts to the Salvation Army Christmas Hampers made from leftover flannel fabric from Val Haverland pajamas and funds for completion from BV Credit Union.

Steelworkers reject Canfor contract By Bill Phillips Black Press

Steelworkers have fairly resoundingly rejected the latest contract offer from Canfor. Members voted 89 per cent to reject the five-year deal that was reached last month between the company and the union.

At issue, for the membership, were shift changes and a competitive clause. “They (Canfor) certainly know that’s something they’re not prepared to go to,” said Frank Everitt, Local 1-424 president, referring to a 5/10 shift clause that would see workers to four, 10hour shifts, with one

day off in the middle of the week. Another clause that the union membership balked at was a “competitive” proposal. “The competitive clause said that if anyone else was able to negotiate an agreement that was less than the Canfor deal, then Canfor got the lower price,” said

Everitt. “Maybe three months from now there’s a deal that’s more economically favourable than the one we did with Canfor and we drop down to that level. It’s like a pig in a poke, so we’re not doing it.” The proposal only applied if wages went down in a subsequent

deal, not up. The two side are now back to the table and Everitt said they have informed Canfor that those clauses have to be changed. The union is in a position to strike. “Hopefully we’ll be able succeed in reaching a successful conclusion short of a strike,” he said.

The District of Houston is planning small tax increases and substantial cost reductions to deal with the loss of revenue following the closure of Houston Forest Products (HFP). William Wallace, Houston Director of Finance, said HFP paid $618,980 in property taxes to the District of Houston, which is 12.2 percent of the $4,321,124 total collected by the District in property taxes in 2013. “One of the first things [council] did with the recommended base budget [is talk about making] a five-year plan without the tax revenues from HFP,” said Wallace. Consistent with previous comments from Deputy Mayor Shane Brienen, Wallace said the fiveyear plans include cost reductions in the District, including staffing and nonstaffing expenses, as well as small tax increases. Council met recently to discuss details of their draft 2014 to 2018 financial plan, including possible future debt, a fire truck purchase, managing District assets, preparing for upcoming capital costs, and proposed Highway 16 projects.

Avoid plans which assume debt. FIRE TRUCK

The District of Houston is budgeting payments towards a new $450,000 fire truck, to keep the fire fleet in shape and avoid increases in home insurance. Wallace said the system for fire equipment is to set aside $40,000 into reserves every year, and upgrade one piece of equipment every five years. The upgrades are done through a leaseownership system, where the District leases a truck for five years at $90,000 per year, and owns the truck at the end of that lease period. “Not a lot of money, frankly, is set aside for the Fire Department. It’s just enough to keep the current strategy going,” Wallace said. He said the District is doing the minimal they can to maintain an average fire fleet, using equipment for 20 to 25 years before replacing it. See COST on Page 2

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