Editor:
I would like to help clarify Mr. Young's concerns about wage increases within Parks Canada.
First of all, our current contract expired in August of 2018. The new contract being offered is now two-plus years in arrears and if ratified no raises will be seen until at least April of 2021, and then will expire again in August 2021.
So it really does not matter which order the raises happen if ratified.
Furthermore, as a highway maintenance operator at Parks when COVID-19 hit, we were moved into critical services from essential to keep the roads and highways safe for travel amongst other tasks required.
While a large part of the valley were home staying safe and collecting COVID-related benefits, we continued on the job.
The misconception about public servants and their wages are all too common, and it is all too easy to find a reason to voice a concern.
I think that when we are out doing our jobs, a lot of which goes unseen, a two per cent raise per year is fair for keeping the Marthas and Henrys of our beautiful valley safe.
Kevin Armstrong,
Canmore
