More Miller Foot in Mouth

Here is a real gem of a quote from Mayor Dave, regarding the return to work of the outside workers. "If council had managed to deal with this matter in a more timely way on Friday without some of the unnecessary political theatrics, we might not have needed overtime"

Dave when I watched the council meeting there was no vote scheduled till 6:00 PM and no workers were even scheduled to start till midnight on Friday according to your Thursday press conference. So I ask how you can even make such a ridiculous statement to the press.

Dave you are starting to look like the idiot that I always thought you were.

I hope that last statement is not considered slander because I would hate to see my tax dollars pay for a lawsuit against me.

Council Meeting Observations

I only got to watch the meeting after the lunch break but the one thing I did notice was how Mayor Dave never answers the questions put to him. He actually refused to answer any of Karen Stintz's questions.

The vote just in 21 -17 in favour of approving the contract. I wonder why 7 councilors did not show up for the meeting?

Some Observations during speeches
- Gord Perks is a rude obnoxious bastard, I got to watch him snicker and make snide comments on camera while the councilor sitting in front of him was speaking.
- Pam McConnel talked about her wonderful vacation in the US but she did arrive back in town in time for the vote.
- Raymond Cho spent his 5 minutes thanking everybody including Home Depot
- Janet Davis spent her 5 minutes contradicting herself." We went into bargaining talks hard line demanding a 0% increase for 3 years" ," the grandfathering of the sick bank was on the table in March" I find it hard to believe she is on the "Executive Committee"
-Case Ootes gave an eloquent speech and refuted all of Mayor Dave's comments from yesterdays press conference.

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More Miller Math

Dave on the news "We have eliminated the Sick Bank and the unfunded liability"
Here is the summary from local 79 voting session today.

Current Sick Leave Provisions
Grand-parenting of the Sick-Leave Plan: Article 11

• Members currently covered by Article 11 of the full-time agreement will be able to stay in the current sick leave plan.
• There will be no changes or reductions in your entitlement under Article 11.
• You will continue to accrue sick days as per Article 11.
• Your cash-out (Retirement Gratuity) is unaffected.

Serious incident: Employees who are witness to, or involved in, a serious incident at work shall be given the balance of the workday off, with pay.

So tell me Dave who is telling the truth. The city is still on the hook for a 249 million and growing payout for unused sick days. It does not look like the sick bank has been eliminated.

Where are you going to get the money to pay this one?

Dave If you add up the yearly increases in the contract it is 6% over 3 years not the 5.2% you stated in your news conference. You also forgot to mention they got another holiday added to the contract(Family Day).

So tell me Dave when will the lying stop?

Fair Affordable Effective Delivery

Now let's find a way to settle a collective agreement that is fair and affordable,and allows Toronto to effectively deliver public services.
Mayor Dave's Twitter post June 28

Dave,

A new collective agreement will not help you effectively deliver public services. In order to accomplish that you will also need to have responsible and effective management something that is sorely lacking in the city of Toronto.
Here is one example of the many management problems from the latest auditor general's report regarding audits of Toronto Water in July 2007
Auditor's Recommendation
The General Manager, Toronto Water Division, direct that detailed overtime analyses be performed to determine whether the amount of overtime is reasonable and necessary in the wastewater plants. Such overtime analyses should identify reasons for overtime and trends among work areas and positions within the plants.
This is what happened
The Plant Managers were not given a specific directive regarding the performance of overtime analyses. Current overtime analyses performed by the plants provide basic information, which does not identify trends among work areas and positions, but does alert plant management to unusual increases in overtime.
Reasons for overtime are documented and reviewed by the Team Coordinator and Plant Manager as each instance occurs.
Auditor's Recommendation
The General Manager, Toronto Water Division, ensure that the staff in the Toronto Water Division are aware of their responsibilities relating to the attendance management program and require that employee absenteeism is regularly monitored in accordance with City policy.
This is what happened
Although management staff were reminded of their responsibilities relating to the attendance management program, audit testing found a lack of documented evidence to show that the attendance management program was being followed consistently.

Dave you have some serious management problems why not try solving some to them. Then you can tell us your version of a fair contract.

The only thing you talk about is the sick bank and wages. I am sure there are other issues on the table but you have decided not to publicize these issues. Might they make you look bad?

Dave while you are at it how about that "little organic waste problem" you are having. Maybe you should re-calculate you waste diversion problems.

Back Door Dave has decided to cancel this weeks council meeting. I guess he could not book the convention center again. Dave, in plain English, could you please explain how you can spend 20k+ for a special meeting to protect your pet project but can't manage to hold a regular meeting dealing with normal city business.

While you are doing that perhaps you can tell us how may times you or any of your executive committee have actually walked in the front door of city hall in the past two weeks. If they are not going to show up for work do they really deserve to get paid or are they dipping into their sick bank?

Jarvis Bike Lanes- Political Speak

On May 26 I wrote a letter to Mayor Dave. I just wanted to know why council approved bike lanes for Jarvis St even though they were not in the official "Toronto Bike Plan" and when would we get some lanes extended on Lakeshore in Etobicoke. Here is the official response from his assistant Mae Lee


Mr Nevitt:

Thank you for your continuous support of environmentally friendly alternate travel mode. With regards to bike lanes in Lakeshore west, Transportation Services will respond directly to you regarding plans for specific area.

The Toronto Bike Plan establishes a vision for cycling in Toronto. The Plan sets out integrated principles, objectives and recommendations regarding safety, education and promotional programs as well as cycling related infrastructure, including a comprehensive bikeway network. I encourage you to continue working with your local City Councillor in the next steps for your area.

For more information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/index.htm

311 - 24 hours after June 19
311@toronto.ca

Office of Mayor David Miller


There is no answer to the original question and after sending six more reminders to Mae I never did receive an answer from her or the transportation department.

Typical Toronto