OTTAWA – Today, the National Citizens Coalition is pleased to announce the launch of CollectiveContempt.com, a new project designed to expose the income gap between public and private sector employees across Canada.
"Public sector unions in Canada have capitalized on their sensitive positions to secure a significant wage advantage over private sector workers," explains Peter Coleman, President and CEO of the National Citizens Coalition. "Now, these same unions are refusing to accept the new economic reality we face as a county."
Canada's federal, provincial, and municipal governments are all struggling to balance their budgets, yet many public unions have refused to accept wage freezes. Instead, several of these same unions are seeking wage increases and are currently engaging in strikes and other disruptive actions.
"In the private sector, when a company is facing bankruptcy its employees do not expect raises," continues Coleman. "Why should the public sector be any different?"
CollectiveContempt.com will highlight the most egregious union agreements across the county, and inform taxpayers about the actual wage and salary grids of public sector union employees. Concerned taxpayers will be able to take part in the discussion and submit documents of their own for posting on the website. CollectiveContempt.com will also, however, showcase positive examples of public union contracts that properly account for current economic conditions.
"This is not about a race to the bottom regarding wages – this is about keeping government affordable and providing value for taxpayers."
According to recent Census data, public sector wages are inflated between 8 to 17 per cent over private sector norms and that is before factoring in paid benefits and a shorter work-week. According to the CFIB, this adds more than $19-billion every year to government payroll costs across the country.
"Taxpayers must be presented with the facts about the salaries, benefits, and job security that these public union leaders have already secured for themselves," adds Coleman. "There must be greater transparency when it comes to contract negotiations and disputes – after all, these wages and perks are being paid for with our tax-dollars."
Peter Coleman
President and CEO
National Citizens Coalition
Email: pcoleman1@rogers.blackberry.net
