Labour Notes Post Office probe urged Recent “trial balloons” floated by Harvie Andre that first class letter service may be opened to private sector competi- tion underscore the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ call for a full inquiry into the operations of the post office, CUPW Vancouver local president Mar- ion Pollack said Tuesday. “Andre’s proposal is very, very dangerous — if it goes through, it would mean not only more privatization but also deteriorating service for Canadi- ans,” Pollack told delegates to the Van- couver and District Labour Council Tuesday. Andre, the minister responsible for the post office, said Monday in Ottawa that the government was considering ending the post office monopoly on letter deliv- ery and allowing private courier services to compete. Significantly, Andre and Canada Post president Don Lander are to discuss the latest privatization proposal at a Fraser Institute-sponsored conference in Tor- onto in June. Under the original Canadian Post Office Act of 1868, the post office was given exclusive right to handle letters in order to balance delivery rates across the country. Because of that policy, the lower cost of processing mail in the big urban areas helps offset the more expen- sive rural mail delivery. But if that is opened up to competi- tion, mail delivery will inevitably suffer, Pollack warned, adding that many would be “lucky to get mail once a week.” CUPW called earlier this month for a royal commission of inquiry into the operations of the post office, noting that Canada Post’s privatization and ration- alization program had violated the legis- lative mandate of the Crown corporation and had led to deteriorating service and poor employee morale. Save VIA Rail campaign set A newly-formed “Save VIA Rail Committee,”made up of rail unionists and community support groups, set up an information picket outside the open- ing of VIA Rail’s new $20 million service centre in Vancouver Monday, calling on the federal government to keep pas- senger rail service across the country. The picket coincided with a rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa where more than 150 rail workers gathered to declare their opposition to government plans to cut the $600 million that goes to VIA Rail from the federal treasury. The Save Via Rail Committee was set up earlier this month following sugges- tions from Finance Minister Michael Wilson that passenger rail service might be sacrificed as part of the government’s cost cutting. But if VIA goes, the country will lose a vital transportation link and an impor- tant part of the tourist industry, and Canada “would be the only country without a passenger rail service,” said Save VIA Rail Committee co-chair Peter Askin. “VIA Rail is Mulroney’s favourite whipping boy for the deficit, but it is a service that brings a lot of benefits and is one the public wants to maintain,” said Askin, a representative for the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers. A Canada-wide public opinion poll conducted by the Montreal Gazette last week found that 89 per cent of Canadi- ans want VIA Rail passenger service maintained. Most also wanted train ser- vice upgraded. Some 3,000 people work for VIA Rail across the country, about 500 of them in British Columbia. Although VIA Rail operates its service on 40-year old equipment, it managed to increase its passenger load to six million last year. In addition, said Askin, its revenues were up 14 per cent in the first quarter of 1989, indicating the potential if the service were upgraded and faster trains put on key commuter runs as many have suggested. “VIA needs to be brought into the 20th Century and prepared for the 21st,” Askin said. The committee has launched a peti- tion campaign and is calling on Canadi- ans to write their MPs and press the government to maintain and upgrade VIA service. A major rally has also been set for May 13 at 2 p.m. outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. May Day rally, march April 30 Vancouver’s annual May Day march and rally gets underway at 12 noon, Sunday April 30 from Clark Park at 14th and Commercial, with a march to Grandview Park. This year’s event will mark the 100th anniversary of the Vancouver and Dis- trict Labour Council and will highlight the campaign against the unemployment insurance cuts and the federal govern- ment budget, expected down April 27. But the emphasis will also be on festivi- ties, with balloons for kids among the union banners, and a rally program headlined by Toronto singer-songwriter Arlene Mantle. In the event of rain, the rally will move to the IWA-Canada Hall at 13th and Commercial. Classified Advertising COMING EVENTS APRIL 29 — Demonstration in solidarity with the “Families of the Disappeared.” 12 noon at Robson Square. Sponsored by the Congress of Canadian Women and the Chilean Women’s Committee. APRIL 29 — Annual Oolichan Feed at Alice Person's. Great food, refreshments. 599 Chapman, Coquitlam. $7/person. 4 p.m. on. For info: 936-7308. Proceeds to Pacific Trib- une. APRIL 30 — May Day March and Rally. 12 noon. Leave Clark Park (14th & Commercial) to rally at Grandview Park (Williams & Commer- cial) Post parade party at IWA Hall. 2:30 p.m. Refreshments, music, Latin-American food. Sponsored by Vancouver May Day Committee. PENTICTON APRIL 30 — 2nd Annual May Day celebra- tion. Pot luck dinner. Hear Sean Griffin, editor of Pacific Tribune. Leir House Cultural Centre, 220 Park Manor. 1 p.m. All welcome. For info. phone Dawn: 497-8449. Proceeds to Tribune. ATTENTION NORTHERN READERS MAY 6 — The First Annual Spring School of Socialist Education will be held in Prince George at the College of New Caledonia, Sat. May 6 and Sunday, May 7. Topics to include Socialist Philosophy, Political Economy, Peres- troika and New Thinking for Socialists. Also on Saturday evening a panel discussion and public forum on “The Environmental Challenge.” For advanced registration and billets phone Zella Taylor 564-5375. Sponsored by the Prince George Committee for Socialist Education, in co-operation with the Vancouver Centre for Socialist Education. MAY 7 — Take your mom out to the pancake breakfast. 5285 Empire Dr. Burnaby. $5/per- son. 1/2 price for 12 years and under. 10 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by Burnaby Club. Proceeds to Pacific Tribune. ; MAY 7 — Birthday Pancake Breakfast at the Gidora’s. 12712 66th Ave., Surrey, $5/person. 12 years and under, % price. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds to Pacific Tribune. JUNE 11 — Keep this date open for dinner/ social. Sponsored by New Westminster Club. Proceeds to Pacific Tribune. JULY 13 — Tickets for Pete Seeger’s Van- couver Orpheum concert now available from the Tribune office at special pre-concert price of $12. (Regular box office price $15.50) Phone 251-1186. KAMLOOPS POLITICAL DISCUSSION group open to everyone. 2nd Wednesday each month held at North Kamloops library meeting room, 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Kamloops Club of the Communist Party. TRIB LENDING LIBRARY — 242 Larch Ave. Lots of labour and progressive literature for your reading enjoyment at no cost. For info 376-7110. Kamloops. ~ COMMERCIAL TRIB PHOTOS — Would you like a specific photo in the Pacific Tribune? Copies available: 5"x7"/$4.50, 8"x10"/$6. Phone 251-1186. GRAMMA PUBLICATIONS. Complete print- ing services. Brochures, menus, leaflets, etc. A union shop. 2089 Commercial Dr. Vancouver. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 254-7717. AUTOPLAN, GENERAL INSURANCE, Early Agencies Ltd. 5817 Victoria Dr. Home, tenants, business, trade union. Call Dave Mor- ton, 321-6707. TIM LOUIS 1989 MAY DAY PARADE! Celebrate the 100th anniversity of the Vancouver and District Labour Council! Say NO! to Mulroney's budget and UIC cuts! Sunday, April 30. Parade begins at 14th and Commercial, 12 noon. To Rally at Grandview Park Post parade party at IWA Hall, 2:30 p.m.