LANGLEY – With a stroke of the pen, the Township of Langley has chopped its bylaw enforcement by 50 per cent. Two of its four bylaw enforcement officers, both members of CUPE 403, received layoff notices yesterday “effective immediately”. The Township blamed a lack of work.
CUPE Local 403 president Paul Albrecht said these are the first layoffs in years. “This comes out of the blue, especially given recent discussion by the Township to actually add two additional bylaw officers to meet public demand for more enforcement in our rapidly growing community.” Albrecht added, “We cannot overstress the importance of the job these officers do or the negative effect these cuts will have on the services provided to our citizens.”
Albrecht said the cuts have been made “despite recent assurances from the Administrator and Council that with the 4.95 per cent property tax increase there would be no layoffs of municipal staff or reductions in service levels to the community.”
The bylaw officers deal with issues such as noise, traffic, wrecked vehicles, unsightly premises, signs, and zoning.
The union wants to meet with Township management to discuss the situation.
