To the editor:
I am writing in response to an article, headlined BC Hydro defends smart meter safety, in the Aug. 3 edition of the Free Press.
We’ve been hearing a lot of concern about smart meters recently from communities like 100 Mile House.
In addition to concerns raised in your newspaper and the possibility of higher 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 COPE 378 as their union.
We support a moratorium on smart meters until these questions can be answered.
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
COPE 378 vice-president
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