It’s a new year, which means we are on to a new year of Whistler’s Answers!
In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1983. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: In 1980, when the Town Centre was still in relatively early stages of construction, the Labour Relations Board ruled that Whistler Village was a common site, meaning only union workers could be employed. By 1983, however, as some construction had been completed and more businesses were opening, this policy was being reexamined in a different context.
Question: Do you think Whistler Village should drop its union policy and become an integrated site like Tumbler Ridge?
Roger Moxley – Union Labourer – West Side Road
Whistler Village as a whole concept cannot afford to go union. I’ve been in the restaurant business and know that it would be difficult for these places to survive if they’re going to have to pay union wages. It should be up to the employer. The unions are going to have to realize that times have changed.
Stan Hammond – Non-union Carpenter – High Forest
Yes, because I don’t think there should only be unions in Whistler Village. It doesn’t go along with the free enterprise system. It also doesn’t give employers a chance to find the least expensive way of getting their building completed or business done. I actually don’t see why they insisted on unions here in the first place.
Dave Lalik – Union Carpenter – High Forest
Now that the major construction of the village is finished I don’t think it should be a general policy but should be left up to the tenants of each building to make their own decision. That’s just a common sense approach, it seems to be.