Alberta Politicians get huge raises

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

It's not what they do but rather what they have, which is power to decide their own pay cheques and no opposition to challenge them. But then again, the few opposition members that there are don't seem to be objecting too hard since they're getting big fat raises too. They're all corrupt and arrogant, regardless of their stripe.

I know that Dave Taylor and Kent Hehr both voted against the increases.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by Slava

I know that Dave Taylor and Kent Hehr both voted against the increases.

And yet there have been no questions about this in Question Period (both Yesterday and Today). Surely, if they cared, they'd ask...

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by Slava

I know that Dave Taylor and Kent Hehr both voted against the increases.

Yeah this is the perfect situation for them to look like heros when they know full well they'll be getting the raise anyway.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by kermitology

That's the premier.. I think he means Prime Minister by PM.

As of 2004 it was estimated by CBC at approx. $280,000

Sorry ... I misread that.

According to an Ottawa Citizen article from April 2007 that I found, Harper's salary is $301,600 per year, but he can earn an additional $150,000 for unspecified other duties.

According to the same article Dalton McSquinty earns $196,620 per year and George Bush earns $400,000 per year (base salaries).

Link: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/...e-2c162a7f1d36

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Vedder

Yeah this is the perfect situation for them to look like heros when they know full well they'll be getting the raise anyway.

Well when we as a province only vote 9 of them in what are you expecting? Taft has also stated publicly that he is looking at donating his increase to charity...

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Slava

I know that Dave Taylor and Kent Hehr both voted against the increases.

Okay, so there's hope for about 1 in every 45 politicians in this province. Colour me unimpressed. When it comes to politicians I just assume they're corrupt until proven otherwise. It saves a lot of time and I still maintain a high degree of accuracy.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Vedder

Yeah this is the perfect situation for them to look like heros when they know full well they'll be getting the raise anyway.

If they voted against it, they could donate the raise portion to the CBE.

They they WOULD BE heroes.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

If they voted against it, they could donate the raise portion to the CBE.

They they WOULD BE heroes.

Kevin Taft of the Liberal party said he was going to be donating his raise to charity.

[Azure]

You'd think that having the most important job in the country would give you a salary of more than 400k.

Weird.

Not that I agree with raising the salaries.

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well when we as a province only vote 9 of them in what are you expecting? Taft has also stated publicly that he is looking at donating his increase to charity...

I'm not expecting anything, I'm just saying that this is a rare situation where having less votes is convenient for them. If they do actually oppose the raise then they can do something similar to what Taft is doing, which is admirable if he follows through. For the record I think this whole give myself a raise thing is brutal, and I like the idea of it not coming into effect until after the next election. It's probably not that big of an issue to your average voter, but at least that way there is a chance the government could be held accountable.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Vedder

I'm not expecting anything, I'm just saying that this is a rare situation where having less votes is convenient for them. If they do actually oppose the raise then they can do something similar to what Taft is doing, which is admirable if he follows through. For the record I think this whole give myself a raise thing is brutal, and I like the idea of it not coming into effect until after the next election. It's probably not that big of an issue to your average voter, but at least that way there is a chance the government could be held accountable.

If your a support staff with the CBE it is a big issue. Nurses, teachers, etc i suspect will have an issue also when it comes to getting a new contract. It's okay for the govt to vote themselves a huge increase, meanwhile the rest have to strike to try and get a fair increase.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Azure

You'd think that having the most important job in the country would give you a salary of more than 400k.

Weird.

Not that I agree with raising the salaries.

this is why we have less than stellar people running for office: it just doesn't pay enough compared to the private sector.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by Dion

If your a support staff with the CBE it is a big issue. Nurses, teachers, etc i suspect will have an issue also when it comes to getting a new contract. It's okay for the govt to vote themselves a huge increase, meanwhile the rest have to strike to try and get a fair increase.

my wife is a CBE support staff ... if she has a problem with how she has to earn her increase as it relates to the policiticians, she could have pursued a career in politics.

people shouldnt go through life thinking that increases are based on fairness or are automatic. if the work you do or the company you work for doesnt meet your pay expectations, you have ALL the power to correct it. QUIT.

[browna]

What has Taft done to deserve the pay he's getting to be anywhere near the Premier's salary? Or Mason? Combined they have 13% of the seats in the Assembly.

Just for sitting on a committe, which, considering the pull they have politically, is nothing more then a nominal post and go to the meetings for the wine and cheese that's served, pass go, and collect 35$K a year to do so.

That is the bigger joke out of all this...in the grand scheme of things it makes complete sense that the leader of the province should be paid more taxpayer money then a guy who's the captain of a rudderless, virtually crewless, ship.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

my wife is a CBE support staff ... if she has a problem with how she has to earn her increase as it relates to the policiticians, she could have pursued a career in politics.

people shouldnt go through life thinking that increases are based on fairness or are automatic. if the work you do or the company you work for doesnt meet your pay expectations, you have ALL the power to correct it. QUIT.

Disagree strongly. We're talking about a hypocritical govt that funds the monies that pays your wifes wages. It's poor leadership to vote yourself and your MP's a wage increase and then turn around and say we don't have enough to pay for the wage demands you are asking.

She or her staff may not be politicians but they do add a valuable service to this province and are worth the increases they are asking for.

If you think people should quit, i'm thankful i never had you as an employer. Most of mine respected the work i did and paid me accordingly.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by browna

What has Taft done to deserve the pay he's getting to be anywhere near the Premier's salary? Or Mason? Combined they have 13% of the seats in the Assembly.

Just for sitting on a committe, which, considering the pull they have politically, is nothing more then a nominal post and go to the meetings for the wine and cheese that's served, pass go, and collect 35$K a year to do so.

That is the bigger joke out of all this...in the grand scheme of things it makes complete sense that the leader of the province should be paid more taxpayer money then a guy who's the captain of a rudderless, virtually crewless, ship.

I've got to agree with Browna.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by Dion

...

If you think people should quit, i'm thankful i never had you as an employer. Most of mine respected the work i did and paid me accordingly.

who said i dont respect the work of my employees?

i am saying that anyone who feels they arent being treated fairly shouldnt complain about it, they have the power do something to correct it. quitting is the ultimate leverage an employee has.

if quitting means you wont find a job like you have already, then i guess thats an indicator the job is paying you fairly. if by quitting they cant replace you, then thats an indicator they need to buck up.

[CaptainCrunch]

I think that MLA's should work on straight commission based on how many special interest groups will commit to their causes, and how many bribes they can garner. At least the transparancy would be there.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

who said i dont respect the work of my employees?

i am saying that anyone who feels they arent being treated fairly shouldnt complain about it, they have the power do something to correct it. quitting is the ultimate leverage an employee has.

if quitting means you wont find a job like you have already, then i guess thats an indicator the job is paying you fairly. if by quitting they cant replace you, then thats an indicator they need to buck up.

Disagree strongly again. People shouldn't have to quit their jobs to prove a point. Those that value their employees recognise thier abilities pay them accordingly. To me it's a lot easier to keep the employees you have happy as opposed to always having to find new staff.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by Dion

Disagree strongly again. People shouldn't have to quit their jobs to prove a point. Those that value their employees recognise thier abilities pay them accordingly. To me it's a lot easier to keep the employees you have happy as opposed to always having to find new staff.

sure i agree ....

but what if i am already paying you what i consider fair value and you dont like it?

unions go on strike. valuable contributors who are confident in their ability to generate value take their services to a new employer.