The city of Nelson is repeating its argument at this week’s UBCM Convention that government legislation on police and fire collective agreements isn’t working.
Contract disputes for those emergency services go to arbitration because it’s an essential service.
But Nelson City Manager Kevin Cormack says the arbitrations cost big money because they’re based on what employees in other cities get – and it’s not a locally resolved contract.
The government themselves recently rejected arbitraton with teachers because of the potential cost to taxpayers.
So Nelson will be hoping Victoria is sympathetic to their issue.