Policy & Advocacy Committee
Wage Increases for City of
Medicine Hat Non-Union Employees
On the nineteenth of January, the City Jeremy Thompson, he stressed conditions. Alderman Schneider also
of Medicine Hat provided a media that this increase ensures that City brought attention to the fact that
release to announce salary increases Council’s compensation philosophy of retaining strong employees has still been
for the City’s non-union Municipal maintaining base salaries competitive a challenge for the City recently and
Services employees. The increase to to like positions in like organizations long-term planning must always stay in
salaries is to be 4.5% and effective as of is upheld. Thompson also pointed focus. One point that is always made in
January 1, 2009. out that the City’s policy is to offer wage reviews is that if we overshoot we
With current economic concerns, the
compensation for their employees that take back or lower next year.
Chamber was asked to look into the
is in the top half of comparable Alberta
We hope that this brief explanation
process and the information that went
municipalities. What does this mean?
gives some insight into how this
into this decision. A balance of current
The City of Medicine Hat pays slightly
decision was made. We also encourage
conditions and long-term employee
above the average of comparable cities.
the City to look at the cost of living in
retention is necessary to ensure that Alderman Ty Schneider points out these comparable centers when assessing
the City is operating efficiently. The that the City works on a three-year wage increases. Should you have any
question was simply: is this a time cycle when it comes to wage reviews. questions or concerns, please contact
when government employees should be While this makes wage expenses more the Medicine Hat & District Chamber
receiving pay increases? predictable and current, it makes of Commerce at 527-5214.
In conversations with Alderman
it nearly impossible to account for
short-term fluctuations in economic
Capital Health Spending
The Chamber has received feedback forward with plans to inject funding for While you reassured local residents in the
from our members regarding concerns capital projects into the Palliser Health January 24, 2009 edition of the Medicine
in our local Health Region. The Region. Hat News we respectfully ask that, as
following letter was sent to the Hon. While the business community respects our elected representative, you provide
Rob Renner, MLA Len Mitzel, and the need for fiscal responsibility, we also strong public support to help ensure
the Hon. Ron Liepert, Minister of stress the urgency to improve hospital that these long overdue improvements
Health and Wellness. facilities in our area. The $280 Million are not delayed any further.
earmarked is necessary to ensure efficient
March 5, 2009 and adequate medical care for the residents Thank you for your time and attention
Honourable Rob Renner
of Southeastern Alberta. Without the to this matter.
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
support of a strong health care system,
620 3 ST SE
the area will certainly struggle in both Sincerely,
MEDICINE HAT AB T1A 0H5
attracting and maintaining business
activity in the area. Jason Melhoff
RE: Capital Spending in the Palliser
Chair, Board of Directors
Health Region
We would like to inform the Government Medicine Hat & District
of Alberta that the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce
Dear Minister Renner:
& District Chamber of Commerce
With the provincial budget expected to
represents over seven hundred fifty area Since this letter was sent, we have
be handed down in the coming weeks,
businesses. As our membership brings received a response from the Hon.
the Medicine Hat & District Chamber
their concerns directly to us, a concern Rob Renner who has also forwarded
of Commerce reminds the Government
from the Chamber should be seen as the issue to Hon. Jack Hayden,
of Alberta of the importance of moving
a direct worry of the local business
Minister of Infrastructure.
community.
C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r C e • a P r I L 2 0 0 9 1 1
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