A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, duly 3, 2002 Company head queries unions NWBC turns u THE NEW owners of SCI have turned up the tem- perature in their dispute with the unions represent- ing the company’s em- ployees. Speaking last week in Prince Rupert, NWBC Timber and Pulp president Dan Veniez expanded on his position that wage and benefit cuts are needed ta re-open SCI’s closed mills by bringing down operating costs, Pulp union members at the pulp mill in Prince Ru- pert and IWA members at SCi’s sawmill here in Ter- race have turned down NWBC demands for re- ductions of up to 20 per cent. Veniez said those re- jections are an altempt to protect the status quo, which is something that can no longer be allowed to continue. “Qur cosis in these areas are ameng the high- est in the world,” Veniez told Prince Rupert Cham- ber of Commerce and Ro- tary members June 27 of SCI’s labour and fibre ex- penses. “Combine them both, and add historically poor management, provincial government, ar- From front a hostile . cane regulations, and you: get the economic calamity lose.” In return for wage and benefit cost reductions, Veniez wants to bring in profit sharing, saying that as the company’s bottom line improves, so will em- ployee compensation. “We are prepared to re- open a business that has been bankrupt, under new ownership, with new rules,” Veniez told his Prince Rupert audience. “We are offering hope and opportunity to start fresh and build a future for ourselves in this commun- ity.” Veniez expanded on what he’s calling SCI’s “Fresh Start” program by offering a signing bonus to the company’s unionized Prince Rupert pulp work- ers. Each employee would get $5,000 right away and another $5,060 after three months of operation. The money amounts to an advance on the “Fresh Start” profit sharing propo- sal. “A number of people have said they don’t think profit sharing is a reality,” ' Veniez said in Prince Ru- Multiplex vote is unknown sources of money. “Obviously, a lot more work needs to be done,” said committee representative Brian Downie. — He sees the grant as a sign that senior levels of gov- emment haven’t given up on Terrace. “This announcement to me is a vote af confidence in Terrace,” youth of Terrace.” Downie said. “It’s a vote of confidence in the City councillor David Hull also sees the announce- ment as good news, but he thinks too much time has - passed since 1999, “Clearly, we're going. to need a referendum,” city councillor David Hull said following the announcement. Hull said the multiplex task force will have to make sure the original plan is still valid. ' Terrace’s economy and its population base have de- clined s. ae the question. was asked in 1999. “y t shine’ toHtake a déep collective: breath-and’ ee start againit Hull. Said..“The pto¢ess doesn’t have to be slow, bil it it does have to be methodical.” AYAK & CANOE EMOS * ‘River, Hellman, Pys Tuesdays - Thursdays 10 am - ; pm; din 10 am -7 pm; and Saturdays 9 am-6 pm He wher al of your printing and copying _ heeds are completed with {ast service at reasonable prices. WE SPECIALIZE COLOUN PRINTING ” Business Cars - Office Stationary Advertising Layout & Design - Brochures y Flyers Posters - Newsletters - Menus __ Absolutely Anything on Paper - _ Give us a call today at 635-1872 or Fax us at 635-1868 we know as Skeena Cellu- Pewe want to show them it is a reality.” That signing bonus has yet to be formally presen- ted to pulp workers, to EWA members at the Ter- race sawmill or to the workers at its Carnaby mill, That’s expected to hap- pen very socn. Veniez reeled off a wage and benefit schedule under the “Fresh Start” proposal, saying that an entry-level pulp mill base wage would amount to ap- proximately $40,000 a year and that benefits would amount to $20,000 a year. “This excludes over- time shifts or any benefit from profit sharing,” he said. Veniez’s wage figures for an entry-level [WA Smile and Whitening By Dr. Zucchiatti ADENT DENTAL CLINIC Phone: 635-2552 4623 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace Mon-Fri © 8:00 am - 5:00 pm member at the Terrace mill would be slightly lawer than the $40,000 fig- ure he quoted in his Prince Rupert example. ““We are also prepared to offer eligible employ- ees, who are 58 or older, an opportunity for a bridge to retirement,” Veniez continued. “This will provide an opportunity for older work- ers to retire with the bene- fils they’ve accumulated over the years, and open the door to younger skilled workers to build a future in the community.” Veniez also took the opportunity to insert a wedge between union lo- cals and their national of- fices. “Who really believes that the big union bosses from Vancouver care one -FOR A BRIGHTER SMILE.... BOOK NOW. FOR: YOUR CLEANING. & -CHECKUP BEAUTIFUL SMILE Y Dr. Joe Zucchiatti 20 years of mercury-free dentistry Founding member and treasurer of the Western Canadian Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry We welcome patients of Dr. Gustavsen And All New Patients General Practitioner Providing services in: Mercury-free white fillings Teeth Whitening Porcelain Veneers and Crowns Microabrasion Dentistry (No drilling, no freezing) Hygiene and Preventive Care Intra-oral camera assisted Diagnosis For your comfort, we have overhead televisions and hecelsets. p the heat © iota for the welfare of the people of this region?” he asked his Prince Rupert audience. Veniez said national union officials were no- where ta be seen during SCI’s varied economic troubles of the past five years. , “Now, these people are telling local union how they should never accept NWBC’s ‘insult,’ as they called it, because it devi- ates from the so-called . ‘industry standard,’” he said. “These are the same guys who watched while the Gold River pulp mill shut down. Its pieces are now scattered throughout North America — including a couple of chemical stor- age tanks on Watson Island,” he said. a proud sponsor of CRIVE isu STOPPERS Terrace Crime Stoppers are asking for help to solve a theft from a truck on Scott Avenue in Terrace, B.C. During the weekend of May 27th-28th, a delivery truck was entered on Scott Avenue in Terrace, The truck, which was not secured, ‘had a 53” Samsung High Definition television taken from the rear box. The television was wrapped in plastic for transport, but not in a crate. It is a “Tantus” model. Terrace Crimestoppers wants = your information, not your name. Any information is valuable and may lead to the arrest and conviction of the offenders. Crime Stoppers offara a cash reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to an arrest and charges being laid against an individual In this or othar unsolved crime. if you have any information call Crime Stoppers at 635-TIPS that's 635-0477. Callers will not be requiced to raveal their identity nor testify In court. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Call 635-TIPS TERRY’S TIPS LUBE IT OR LOSE IT! Automotive locks in particular re{jueuccss #/ lubrication or they can easily seize up requiring expensive replacement. Select a lubricant carefully |f as some popular lubes will leave a hard film inside ‘the lock and eventually cause it to fail. 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