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White Rock councillors cross picket line as talks set to resume

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WHITE ROCK - The civic strike currently holding White Rock's garbage and other services hostage is about to enter its fourth week, just as mediated talks were set to resume.

The two sides would meet days after White Rock's second council meeting during the strike, one that saw two council members cross the picket line to carry out their duties as elected officials.

Coun. Grant Meyer, who opted not to cross the picket line at the May 12 council meeting decided to do so Monday after being twice denied a picket pass.

Meyer, a member of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union, said he was unsure what to do last council meeting, but after speaking with constituents and colleagues, he made the decision to cross this time.

"That first night I wasn't able to get a hold of anyone to confirm some things and I didn't want to take the chance to cross the line," he said. "But I've spoken with a lot of people in the past few weeks and it's a unique circumstance and pretty much everyone I talked to thinks I should be going to these meetings.

"It's an awkward situation and I've been very respectful of them and appreciate what they're going through, I've been on strike myself and I can tell you it's something nobody wants to do.

Fellow union member on council, Bill Lawrence, said he had no reservations about crossing the line as he felt his duty as councillor "superseded any involvement or membership in a union."

A member of the Union of BC Performers for his stunt work, Lawrence said it was his duty as a member of council to attend the meetings.

"I acknowledge their (striking workers') cause, but as a public official I have a duty to those who elected me to be able to go into a council meeting where we do discuss city matters and I represent them in those city matters," said Lawrence.

However, just because he crossed the picket line does not mean Lawrence isn't feeling the effects of the strike.

As a White Rock business owner and resident, Lawrence said he's had to make adjustments to how his waste is disposed of, taking matters into his own hands.

"So we're making sure we take care of the business, we truck it out," said Lawrence. "As a business owner we have to look at what needs to be done to keep the business moving forward."

Residents have also taken matters into their own hands, with many carting their waste out on their own.

"People have been calling me and saying they've been making do, carpooling their garbage out to the dump with their neighbors," said Meyer. "People have been resourceful in figuring out a way around the strike."

And with that in mind, Meyer later brought forth notice of motion at the meeting to look into the possibility of rebating taxpayers for any money saved by the city during the strike.

"Residents are paying taxes for a level of service that they're not getting at this time so a rebate is something we should definitely be looking at," he said.

Lawrence agreed, saying it would be unfair to taxpayers to essentially charge them for a service that is not being rendered.

"We don't want them to endure the inconvenience of not having services that the city would normally be providing and then still have to pay for those services," said Lawrence.

White Rock CUPE workers began fullscale strike action on May 12 after voting 94 per cent in favour of job action in February. The workers have been without a contract since December 2011.

At press time, mediated talks between CUPE 402-01 and the city were set to take place Wednesday and Friday.

cpoon@thenownewspaper.com

Twitter @Questionchris