S TANDARD TERRACE
1.30
$
$1.24 PLUS 6¢ GST
VOL. 26 NO. 39
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
College layoff decision reached By JOSH MASSEY An arbitration hearing over how a layoff process unfolded at Northwest Community College (NWCC) in 2012 has resulted in a decision that will see some faculty compensated by the college for lost wages. Members of both unions representing the faculty said that the arbitration decision reinforces the collective agreement, while the college said it has learned some lessons in how to negotiate future labour deals. “We were successful on all
of our major points,” said Kevin Rose, National Representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “The remedies the arbitrator awarded were everything the union had asked for, so I would say we see this as a major victory.” The arbitration took one year, with 18 hearings held throughout 2013, and a final decision released Dec. 30. Both sides hired lawyers and also paid fees for what was called a lengthy arbitration period. In arbitrator Rod Germaine’s ruling papers, he states that the original dispute began when faculty at the various campuses across
the northwest were sent a preliminary layoff notice by the college's administration that indicated cuts were needed to make up for a deficit of more than $1 million. The unions quickly responded by charging that the correct procedures were not followed leading up to the announcement. Ultimately 10 layoff notices were issued, with four going to arbitration together, and another separately. Cindy Oliver, president of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE) said that several faculty members took early retire-
ment and that other adjustments were negotiated by the unions, thus minimizing the layoff impacts, but that college administrators had initially “botched the whole process.” The arbitration papers show that two faculty members will receive financial compensation for missed time on top of “declaratory relief in relation to both the breakdown of the joint layoff committee process under Article 11.2.2 and the violation of their seniority rights” awarded to all four grievors. The arbitrator also said that “the grievors’ joint layoff committees did not perform their responsibili-
ties under Article 11.2.2.” President and CEO of NWCC, Denise Henning, sees some positives in the decision. “What I can say is that Mr. Germaine found the college to be reasonable in handling the overall layoff process. Where there were issues, the majority were a result of a significantly compressed timeline that was imposed through a labour relations board solution,” she said. “I think it also gives us clarity for bargaining discussions in the future,” Henning added.
Cont’d Page A12
Property values rise
MARGARET SPEIRS PHOTO
■■ Toboggan time lenyx harling, 3, enjoys some sledding by Northwest Community College on a beautiful day Jan. 4. Children were out sliding down the hill by the college parking lot, taking advantage of the warm weather as the temperature hovered around -1 C during the weekend.
The BC Housing Assessment Office released statistics last week showing that the value of home and business properties in Terrace has risen compared to 2013 assessments. The average value for a single family residential property in Terrace is now $244,000 compared to $220,000 in 2013—a 10.91 per cent increase according to the report, released Jan. 2. And when considered next to its neighbouring municipalities of similar population, Terrace finds itself in the middle. The average rise in value of single family residential properties in Kitimat was highest in B.C. at 26.67 per cent ($228,000 compared to $180,000 in 2013), while Prince Rupert saw an average rise of 8.89 per cent ($196,000 compared to $180,000 last year). The total value of commercial properties in Terrace—including new construction—rose by 3.37 per cent, at $300,543,000 compared to $290,731,000 in last year's assessment. The total value of commercial property, including new construction, rose by 14.84 per cent in Prince Rupert and 8.71 per cent in Kitimat. Prince Rupert's totals jumped from $311,395,000 to $357,608,000 and Kitimat's from $188,964,000 to $205,429,000. Nearby towns that experienced declining overall assessments for 2014 include the District of Stewart, which saw the average value of a single family residence drop by 6.33 per cent, down to $74,000 from $79,000 in 2013. New Hazelton saw a substantial increase in the value of single family residential properties at 22.73 per cent, from $88,000 to $108,000. The overall value of commercial properties, including new construction, rose by 91.30 per cent in Port Edward.
Cont’d Page A12
2013 wrap-up
Housing options
Year in Review 2
Here’s more highlights of the locals who stood out in the last half of the year \COMMUNITY A9
A local developer is set to break ground on a new project this spring \NEWS A14
The second installment of our 2013 Sports Year in Review continues \SPORTS A22