[CS-FSLUG] United Church ministers want to unionize

[Frank Bax]

Somebody (it doesn't matter who) wrote:
 >  The call of God...Life of Poverty?


Poverty?  Who said anything about "poverty"?  The article I initially 
quoted says that UCC ministers claim "wages approach those of 
sweatshops".  Search on news.google for "united church union" and you'll 
find several papers have since picked up on the story.  Some have more 
information:

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/11/05/702163-cp.html
A United Church minister's pay starts at $30,000, plus housing, but can be 
higher depending on church donations.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2004/11/06/702456.html
With an annual salary cap reportedly at $38,000, ministers hope to secure a 
higher wage

Notice that salary figures do not include housing allowance - this is 
likely separate because some congregations provide housing, whereas 
sometimes the minister owns his own house.  Also, housing prices vary 
widely across the country.

Every employee (age 18 to 65) in Canada contributes to Canada Pension 
Plan.  CPP contributions are percentage of earnings (matched by employer) 
up to an annual maximum.  An employee exactly reaches that maximum 
contribution if annual salary is 2003=$39,900 - 2004=$40,500.

Ownership of the minister's home does not affect his tax return.  If the 
minister owns the home, he is paid a housing allowance; this is considered 
a taxable benefit and the amount added to salary for income tax 
purposes.  If the congregation owns the home, the value of that 
accommodation is considered a taxable benefit and added to salary for 
income tax purposes.

So, by my calculations, United Church ministers in Canada earn a salary 
sufficient for them to qualify for maximum government pension when they 
retire.  That's not poverty in my book.

CDN to US$ exchange rate averaged $0.83 over last seven days.  That makes 
current salaries US$24,900 - US$31,540 (remember that housing is separate).

I have also been told (but have not confirmed) that if a congregation were 
to run into financially difficulty and ask the pastor to leave, severance 
pay is legally due to the minister on his way out.

Frank