Letter: Answers Needed Before Smart Meters Go Ahead

August 25, 2011

Answers Needed Before Smart Meters Go Ahead

Dear Editor,

We’ve been hearing a lot of concern about smart meters recently from communities such as the West Shore.

In addition to concerns raised in your paper and the potential for higher BC Hydro bills, one consequence we’re facing immediately is the loss of nearly 400 family-supporting jobs across the province.

Since 2007 our union, which represents meter readers, has been trying to get answers from BC Hydro and this government on how jobs will be impacted, but Energy Minister Rich Coleman and Premier Christy Clark continue to refuse to meet with meter readers or as their union, MoveUP.

We support a moratorium on smart meters until these questions can be answered. And if smart meters end up going ahead, we want to ensure our members get the opportunity to re-train and continue work in BC Hydro.

They have valuable institutional knowledge and are proud of the work they do in service of our public utility and communities. The government has a responsibility to mitigate the impact of smart meters — starting with the 400 men and women who will lose their jobs.

Gwenne Farrell
MoveUP vice-president, utilities

*Printed in the Williams Lake Tribune, Goldstream News Gazette, Parksville Qualicum News, Kelowna Capital News, Gulf Islands Driftwood, 100 Mile House Free Press, and the Langley Times