PAGE 6, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRESS We are taxpayers too, -un ion head says CONT D. FROM PAGE 4 explain the injustice in this? 1 happen ta be a member of one of the wage negotiation teams and when -we suggested ta thE government negotiat- lng team that we ex- plore a settiement based on the cost of living the reply we received was "we hav%.e been instructed by the ministry not to discuei--s cost of living." It is time that the public realized that we pay taxes, we rai-se familles, and that we must contend with the cost of living the same as everyone else. Must we always be condem- ned for wanted the same for our familles as those in the private sector? You mentioned.that it is undoubtedly true that there is physical danger involved In our work but however the same case can be made for police of- f icers and they accept it as part of the job and do not lament it publicly." 1 suggest you check the workmens compensation records and see who is hurt more often on the job. 1 suggest that you print the difference in wages and 1 bring to your at- tention the furor made by the police re two constables per cruiser and 1 suggest you quote the reason the Toronto Police gave for rejecting their latest of- fer; when you do you will find the reason was that they wanted ta be the highest paid police forcein Canada. Weil the reason institutional care workers are rejec- ting their offer Is that we feel It is time that we at least came close to a reasonable and equitable wage and benefit increase con- sistant with inflation and the cost of living. Fred Upshaw President OPSEU Local 331 Whitby Psychiatric Hospital în a ion Speciais 7777