Seasonal operators with the township’s public works department will be getting more guaranteed work hours.
At the Jan. 10 meeting, council approved a staff recommendation that the standard work week for seasonal operators become 42 hours.
Currently the township offers seasonal operators a guaranteed alternating work week of 42 hours one week and 25 hours the next. While many seasonal operators regularly reach 42 hours in the 25-hour week during periods of stormy weather systems, in less weather active weeks they may be limited to 25 hours.
“Over the last three years the township has been challenged recruiting and retaining qualified seasonal operators for winter maintenance” explained CAO Brad McRoberts in a staff report
“The primary incentive for operators to leave, based upon discussion, has been the lack of a guarantee of 40 or more hours each week.
“Other municipalities, including the county, are providing guaranteed 40 hours per week each week.”
He added, “We have also been challenged recruiting qualified seasonal operators and the lack of providing guaranteed 40 hours per week each week is considered a contributing factor.”
In addition to retention and recruitment advantages, the change would provide the public works department with “greater operational flexibility to address winter maintenance needs particularly during extended active weather conditions,” the report states.
The anticipated cost for seven seasonal operators at an additional 17 hours every other week during the five-month winter season at maximum job rate of $24 would be about $14,720. The report notes that estimate assumes seasonal operators already reach 42 hours in the 25-hour week 50% of the time.
Councillor Dennis Craven noted “two roads employees have mentioned to me that it’s about time we did something like that.”
Councillor Michael Martin said, “I guess I’ve never personally understood the short week. I can certainly appreciate the recruitment and retention argument.”
Noting he supported the move “if there is work available,” Martin asked, “Is there going to be a change in the level of service?”
Martin stated, “I’d love to hear if there is additional benefits outside of the whole recruitment/retention aspect.”
McRoberts replied that if the department “gets the proper number of operators, (it would) certainly be easier to provide the appropriate service level.”
However, he added, “I don’t want to get too much into the sense we’re trying to enhance our service level, because I don’t know if that’s where council wants to go – but it does give us operational benefits.”
Later in the meeting McRoberts addressed perceived concerns about service levels for winter road maintenance in the township, pointing out “people don’t realize … a plow can drive down a road section and within an hour it can fill in.”
The CAO also stated, “People need to realize we have eight trucks and those eight trucks will take about four hours to do the roads once.”
Mayor Neil Driscoll agreed “there seems to be some confusion” about expectations for road maintenance.
“The township doesn’t have a 24/7 service level as the county or MTO do,” he noted.
The recommendation to authorize the additional seasonal hours was approved by council.
