[LabComm] PRESS RELEASE: August 19 re: City report dubbed 'business wish list'

[Harprit Khaira]

CUPE Communique
August 19, 2003

City report dubbed ‘business wish list’

PRINCE GEORGE – Concerned about the recommendations in a consultant’s
report, CUPE has called on city council and citizens to “stay alert to the
pressure to give away everything that residents have worked so hard to
build.”

In releasing its analysis of the report, given to city council last week,
CUPE expressed grave concerns today about both the process and the
recommendations contained in the report.

“They call it the ‘Service Delivery to Business Customers task force report’
,” said Leann Dawson, CUPE national servicing representative commenting on
behalf of Local 399 (outside workers). “Our research suggests that it would
be more aptly identified as a business wish list.”

“This was by no means an independent report,” she added. “Consultants were
chosen without tendering and were directed to speak to certain city staff
and members of the business community. They were even directed as to which
communities Prince George should be compared.”

CUPE’s analysis argues that the report, which came in 11 months late and
cost $20,000 more than originally budgeted, is nothing more than the
opinions of a select group of corporate interests.
“This report offers a potpourri of measures that represent every giveaway
that business could imagine,” Dawson said. “The consultants don’t even deny
that their report lacks independence. It is no basis for future action.”

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Contact:  Leanne Dawson, CUPE national representative, 250-612-7586
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