Slamming, selectively

From the Ministry of Truth today:

CFIB Slams Contract

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is slamming the new contract for town employees in Grand Falls-Windsor. It includes a 14.5 per cent wage increase over four years, something the CFIB suggests is too much. Spokesman Bradley George says rewarding unionized workers with a rich contract is not at all sensible. He hopes small business owners do not bear the brunt of it. He says they already shoulder a greater portion of the municipal tax burden and receive fewer municipal services for their tax dollars.

Grand Falls-Windsor Mayor Al Hawkins doesn't understand why council is being criticized for giving its unionized employees a 14.5 per cent wage increase over the next four years. Hawkins says he feels the deal is fair and wonders why George hasn't criticized the 16 per cent raise given workers in St. John's or the 18 per cent being sought by Mount Pearl employees.

Al Hawkins has some good questions, to which a body might add:

Over the past four years, the provincial public-sector workforce has increased by 16%.

The provincial public-sector payroll has increased by 30%.

Direct public-service employment has increased by over 20%.

Provincial goverment salaries, per the estimates for FY 2010-11, are 53% higher than the revised estimated figures for FY 2006-07.

Bradley George, CFIB: is it comfortable under that rock?