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Tuesday July 28 2015 3 POLITICS MUNICIPAL In Loving Memory of Robert John Evans Robert John Evans Bobby McGee passed quietly on March 1 2015 in Vernon B.C. with family by his side. Robert had been suffering with cancer for the last part of his life and now the suffering is over. Robert was born on September 25 1951 in McLennan Alberta and made his home for the last several years in Vernon B.C. Robert was predeceased by his father Maurice Moise Evans Sr. Robert is lovingly remembered by his special friend Sandra Harry and his children Robert Shelly Eddy Candice and grandchildren Matayah Ivan Luna Tallia Shylah and Aurora. His mother Rita Caroline Walker and his siblings Linda McNamara Michael Jim Evans Jackie Nora Flett Garry Liz Tuckey Leonard Judy Millar Maurice Evans Sheila Allen Evans Leslie Ruth Cumming George David Evans Kathy Ben Evans and numerous nieces nephews and extended family and friends. A Celebration of Life was held for Robert on March 5 2015 at Alternatives Chapel in Armstrong B.C. In loving Memory William Bill Nelson August 1 1998 We think of you in silence. We often speak your name. But all we have are memories And your picture in a frame. Your resting place we visit And put flowers there with care. But no one knows the heartache As we turn and leave you there. Sadly missed by your family Town of Fort Smith signs collective agreement By DALI CARMICHAEL The Town of Fort Smith and its employees represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada PSAC and the Union of Northern Workers UNW signed on to their rst ever four-year collective agreement following ne- gotiations earlier this month. After four days of intense negotiation the new deal was ofcially ratied on July 17. Town employees will see annual wage in- creases of 1.5 2.0 and two increases of 2.25 per cent from the period of 2015 to 2018. In the previous agreement staff saw pay in- creases of 2.5 per cent in 2012-2013 and 2 per cent in 2014. We had good cooperation with give and take at the table UNW president Todd Par- sons said in a press release. This agreement allows the next council to focus on the future and plan for economic sustainability and still provide the citizens with unmatched service said Fort Smith Mayor Brad Brake. Negotiations went very well as a result of the excellent relationship between this council and its employees. It is representative of the towns effort to become an employer of choice. The deal features a new job classication system - based on the pre-established Hay Plansystem-thatwillcomeintoeffectSept.1. It ensures that workers are paid accurately according to their job description and job duties and provides equity in all jobs within the town Brake said. Employees will have the options of reviewing their job duties and if they disagree they will have the op- portunity to request a re-evaluation. It is a gender-neutral job classication system that affords fair and equitable assessment of job duties and pay level. The agreement also includes new provi- sions for standby employment responsibil- ity and callout language that will allow the municipality to better organize weekend and after-hours delivery of town services. A previous administration had removed standby language altogether as a method to control and limit overtime. This left the cur- rent management unable to place a worker on standby Brake said. We do have things go wrong or need action in the night and on the weekend and if we have no one on call we often have to exhaust calling employees. Without standby pay it can be problematic to secure an employee in town to deal with is- sues that arise as they have no requirement to stay within town. As well letters of understanding were agreed to for the development of an em- ployee assistance program and a working alone policy. We sometimes have employees that work alone at our facilities - rec centre landll arena and library - and its best practice to have a policy and the Town of Fort Smith wants to meet that standard Brake said. Comparatively the Town of Fort Simpson agreed to a three-year agreement with sal- ary increases of 2.25 per cent annually until it expires in December 2016. In the previous agreement the pay schedule increased by 2.5 per cent every year from 2011 to 2013. In Hay River a dispute over wage increases is still ongoing. Employees are asking for annual wage increases of 2.25-2.5 per cent over three years while the town is offering annual increases of 1 per cent over the same time period. In the previous agreement town employees received wage increases of 2.5 per cent annually from 2011 to 2013. Its reassuring to see our members and the Town of Fort Smith quickly agree to a fair contract said PSAC regional executive vice president Jack Bourassa. This agreement allows the next council to focus on the future and plan for eco- nomic sustainability and still provide the citizens with unmatched service. Mayor Brad Brake PhotoMeaganWohlberg The Town of Fort Smith nalized a four-year collective agreement with its employees.