Credit: Supplied

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: What if a union endorsed Liberals instead of New Democrats?

Oct 21, 2020 | 4:47 AM

KAMLOOPS — AN INTERESTING little sidebar to the local election campaign played out yesterday over whether a City of Kamloops union should be supporting candidates.

Specifically, a Facebook post by BC Liberals Todd Stone and Peter Milobar celebrated their endorsement by Local 913 of the International Association of Firefighters, which represents City firefighters.

A caption under a photo of Milobar and Stone standing in front of a couple of City fire trucks states, “We support those that support us. Through their time in elected office, Todd Stone and Peter Milobar have been tireless advocates for public safety. We are proud to support their bids for re-election.”

Reaction ranged from curiosity to anger. People started asking questions. For one, it’s unusual for a union to endorse BC Liberals. Why didn’t Local 913 support NDP candidates?

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What about Sadie Hunter, a City councillor running for the NDP? If the firefighters were going to endorse somebody, shouldn’t they have considered her?

There was a complaint the union’s endorsement looks like a City endorsement due to the connection between the two. Is it appropriate for a campaign photo op to be taken in front of City property?

Is the union saying Stone and Milobar are the only ones in the local race who support public safety?

Local 913 president Kris Krutop told me the union didn’t interview all the candidates, but backs the two Liberals because they’ve been unwavering supporters on members’ health issues.

The union didn’t take the photo, and didn’t post it on Facebook, though it did re-Tweet it. He said the union has endorsed several candidates in the past, including at the civic level, and “we would never play politics with the City’s brand.”

The endorsement doesn’t include financial support, either.

So, bottom line is, union locals have a right to support candidates of any party, including Liberals, and it was all really a bit of ado about nothing much.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.