I agree that if it wasnt for unions and collective bargaining we'd all be working for peanuts. Both my parents were in the graphic arts union, but they also witnessed excesses on both sides.

where my father worked press-operators were earning $35/hr ($74,000 per year) and it wasnt enough, so they went on strike. Well over the next couple years -that printshop moved their equipment to a new plant in Nevada (since most of their business was US anyway) and shut down in Canada. Some of those press operators ended up at pioneer, printing envelopes for 12$ an hour and glad to have it.

over the last year I saw at least a dozen printshops close, for various reasons - economy downturn, technological change as well as less a shift to other advertising. Its unfortunate, but those people move on, why should govt employees have guaranteed job security when no one else does?

the 9 weeks vacation was mentioned by the Health minister, I dont know what average is or how it works out with seniority but
as far as Im concerned if they have more than 4 weeks theyre doing better than most others in the private sector.

(since its my tax money I have a right to know what they get)

and the number of weeks vacation and sick days (btw Ive taken maybe 10 over the last 15 years) has nothing to do with 'high cost' of living in the Lower mainland. Real estate may be high here but its high in Toronto as well, but it isnt in Nanaimo or Courtenay, so dont give me that rural communities sob story.

and that comment about business owners being able to enjoy tax writeoffs, is typical of someone who doesnt run a business. because first of all you have to make the money first, before you can write it off.

I dont buy that exodus crap either. Where will they go?
THe US? Even with the cuts they still have the highest pay and benefits in Canada.
Its just like the nurses who demanded wage parity with their American counterparts (or they will leave) but ask any of them if they want to have an American style private medical system? Dont think so.