Sisters and Brothers,
Members across the nation have been bombarded with attacks on their benefits and wages as being “too rich” or “too generous.” You have no doubt read in the papers articles quoting the Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page saying that the average public servant costs taxpayers $117,000. Of course, you and I know that none of our members earn or cost such money.
The report prepared by the PBO is not reflective whatsoever of our members who work hard for their salary and are held to very high standard. In fact, the average salary of a PSAC member is 50-55K per year. The report quoted in the media include ALL public servants including parliamentarians and bureaucrats (MPs, their senior cabinet support and the Prime Minister’s Office). His figures are also inflated because of the projected calculation of severance.
The excellent services that our members provide are being consistently and strategically eroded by this government and this report just adds fuel to the fire in the media and with those taxpayers following such preposterous generalizations. We agree that transparency is of paramount importance when delivering public services and would hope but have failed to see the government following its own preachings.
When comparing public servant wages to those in the private sectors there is no evidence that ours are outpacing those in the private sector – with of course one caveat. We have seen just and fair advancements in the area of pay equity which account for a better living wage in some cases. The fact that we have successfully fought a very long battle to ensure women are paid the same as men is something to be celebrated, not chastised. We believe in equality regardless of how the private sector acts.
In addition, please note that the number of EX or senior management positions in the public sector has ballooned while the government has outsourced lower paying jobs to private firms.
I ask you to remember these points when asked by others who claim this study to be truth, that while it sure would be nice to make what they are claiming, we in fact, do not. We work with integrity and pride to protect the tax programs and the administration of benefits for the public of Canada; we don’t enjoy “golf days” or corporate parties or have car allowances and fitness memberships; we work for the public. Always hold your head up high for the services you provide and bring that same pride to defending your hard earned benefits and wages.
In Solidarity,
Bob Campbell, National President