Mr. Speaker, on April 1, I rose during question period to ask the minister of defence whether he would put an end to the privatization of non-core activities in several Canadian forces bases.
The privatization of CFB Goose Bay has caused considerable hardship. Close to 200 workers were not rehired by SERCO. Wages have been cut dramatically and the low morale of the base employees has plunged to new depths.
The transitional allowance to compensation workers who had their wages slashed will end April 1, 1999, leaving the affected employees with reduced wages. Just like with the pay equity issue, the government chooses to turn its back on its former employees.
Now the new service provider SERCO is eligible to receive a performance bonus for the next five years if it meets certain criteria. This once again demonstrates that this government is more concerned with lining the pockets of foreign companies than protecting the interests of Canadian workers.
If these bonuses are to occur, the wages and benefits that SERCO employees now receive should be one of the evaluation criteria used in determining whether bonuses should be given. Those employees who are now working for SERCO should receive equitable wages and benefits comparable to what they were receiving as public servants.
The government is willing to give SERCO $875,000 for its performance in the period from August 1, 1998 to March 31, 1999. These bonuses should not be earned on the backs of hardworking employees.
Furthermore there is still great concern that these privatization efforts will be extended to other bases. Six additional sites have been designated to go through the alternate service delivery process.
The communities of Gagetown, Kingston, Shilo, Suffield, Wainwright and Edmonton have a right to know on what basis they are being evaluated.
It is known that these sites will have an opportunity to reach the status of most efficient organization. If these sites are successful in doing so, the ASD process will stop.
How committed is the government to this process? Would further cutbacks in the department impede the MEO process? What is the percentage in savings each site has to achieve to be considered a most efficient organization?
The workers of these bases have a right to know what their goal is. The financial security of entire families hangs in the balance. The experience of CFB Goose Bay has shown us that privatization hurts workers and their families.
Let us hope that the Minister of National Defence has learned his lesson and will put a stop to any further privatization efforts.