Gov't move CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - AS staffing in other. areas is being reduced, ‘2. Professional: Development find ‘Travel. lpn unions | is: all ‘wrong - ‘Dear Sir: 7 2 When’ the provincial government. ordered: the . striking members of. the. Hospital Employees’. . Union’ (HEU). back to work on. Wednesday April’ “i 28;"2004 it was° ‘one Of:the saddest days in’ B.C.” - labour history -and, for that ‘matter, in-the 1 history of British. Columbia politics, o/-Rathér: thant our “provincial: government show-' ‘ing wisdom and: compassion for all of: thé’ affect- ed. parties. in ‘reaching: an. agreement,, “it, decided : - that.. it: would: use the hanimer. to find, a. solution. « We -all'knqw thar the government’ Smho- | tive‘was to foil back: Wages by, up to 15/per cent and reduce’ ‘benefits ‘tothe. ‘hospital: workers and... CONtract “Out some“of -the: services ‘with : the ‘save - “ings being redirected: ‘back to patient | care, “Tas: difficult: to’ argue. ‘against more. money fo- we ing “directly: to. patient, “care: Unfortunately’ the - Jooway-the contract negotiations with ‘the-HEU -were * handled was ‘ioré “akin to a. war rather. than. _a government motivated. to ‘reach’. a.) Settle-" ment through: leadership, . compassion: ~and-fair- oo mindédnéss.: for: the hospital: workers: and:. ‘long. Ss term: ability for patients and’ the taxpaying Pub- : : Hie. hs oh “all British ‘Columbian’ are affected by’ what i is” _ “happening and.are- forced to. take: sides: Confran: ‘ shows a awarded: In the 2002 — 2003 school year, actual expen- ~ ditures in this’ ‘category: amounted to $535 99; For the. current school year; the dmended budget . 46. per’ cent’ ‘ot, $247, 859. increase was. to this category. « “As the projected financial’ profile for. next year . _ . does: hot deal. with travel’ costs: ‘Specifically, /an “Based clings: in. pacity of: providing: level tational: ‘Politics haye. never been’ ‘at’ a higher, lev- 3 elinour: Province, This: ‘government continues to PICKETERS OUTSIDE of Mills. Memorial Hospital last Week: MARGARET. SPEIRS PHOTO: a ae the’ previous NDP. government for imple’ 7 ethos. ‘are trying’ to’ ® rainwiaku the: public’ and: 7 the: news media: ‘into believing that; it is moral- ; ‘charge’ of these, unions: and want to. add: one more ~ feathers’ to-her hat.’ wot and. ‘the ‘unions got rid: of them: because truth. be, ne union ¢ dues. ° trys ‘the former ‘NDP* government ‘of: striking a sweetheart deal with the HEU, ‘never. -Mentioning’. or striké. that “the biggest’ cost. in’ that ‘contract ‘settlement ‘was--the i increase in. Wages. for’ female - hospital: : workers, to bring. them on par with the Wages paid : to their’ male, “counterparts. en ~ It'is unprécédented to roll. back wages by. AES hour. to fold sheets or‘a mechanic, with’ $10, 000, _, per cent, ‘reduice: benefits and layoff over:4,000_ “invested di intools, * ; :workers and:contract the. work that they previous-. : “ly carried ‘out to private contractors: who, will- “pay’ °$10-and $11 to their employees with’ virtually-n no. . benefits: : es : . ~ "How: ‘can. we ‘expect “guch poorly ‘paid worker to-care about what: they are: doing’ or for. the. Bp ~ueénts: that: ‘they: have'to elean. 4p ‘aller. orto: pro- vide services for...” : : . Because ‘of - the’ unfair, ‘imposed. contract “by o"cthe: Liberal” ‘government, ‘health: care in’ our prov-’ a posed: to start. with. Bo ince “will: deteriorate. even ‘further than’ the sad. All-all you é are doings inconveniencing the oe ‘state that it.is now’ in: We-need a- proviricial gov. public “ “ernment; that. brings diversified: interests togeth-.. - ento:search and’ find. solitions: that. improve: ‘pub: ‘lic-health .care_in'B.C.," not ‘the. dictatorial’ atti-’ © tude. that we’ "know best what should be done. Four r-day costs dodgy ~ . ‘If. support. ftom much ‘of: the. public is. " going ear Siri “to'return -and : willingness: by the HEU.to work . ; "The cost: savings ‘Figures For: the four'day week “withthe: government: to find a: meaningful . and lasting ‘setilement,.. the imposed. legislation con. calendar. recently: ‘released. by the schodl: board” taining. the contracting out ‘Provision must. ‘be. tak “and three. from the public: Sector. ~The: decision: of these- ning membre woiild. be e: $700,000, ae Mates, presented-at the April’7,.2004 and. April” 7 - .14,-2004 board meetings, that the four day, week testing agreement «7 8 48 Saving® approximately. $1.4 million: ‘The ‘ secre- me Jim: Culp, ; (services. ; 3 While.such- savings 1 may have: been’. attained: : “to attribute thern all: to. the four-day week. calen- oy have been waiting four months for bypass ait » St Paul’s and now I don’t’ know: how much long=: er this. will put-me back, and ali because the’. ‘likes: of people’ like Debra McPherson: who are ‘in -- « that includes. only: ; endar change... ~ What happened : to. the: ‘Candy: ‘Stripers? You: = ‘Known,’ they: were working fee. ‘and not “paying: a ” guards and toa decrease ‘i in. substitute costs. ‘The: ~~And you,: Colin: ‘Hansen: If yo are in 1 charge of. # our. “health. care you’ ‘should not allow. a. ‘wall out : Ton *. “noon -hour’supervisors ‘employed; are not created - 20 can't believe: ether side as’ : Both ie. Pui, in: “print in the: paper. what ‘the: ‘government says on’: : one“ page and*:what the unions: Say. on the: others. and let “the public..decide; who needs: $20: per’. ing support, ‘home. school coordinators: and ‘school | » i,» Cleriealare’ not- the direct result Of thé. calendar. <, It’s‘lime that all’ strikes. and, jock: outs’ be an. : thing -of the ‘past, We are: now in-the. 21st century. “S8Vd - “Why'can(‘t ‘we have’a.board: ‘set-up of: about nine’. - *. people ~: three fram’. the: ‘union, three -from:.the* » business sector or,. in ‘this’ case, the: ‘government. - = mates,: the’ ‘actual cost” sayings: of” the four: da cweek” will, be closer t : | - binding: for :both sides “as” most ‘strikes ‘and Tock’: 7 out are settled: ‘somewhere close: to > what was Pro- : Lites : ‘dar would:only require the. adoption. of alternalive -adst savings ‘measures ‘capable of achieving. th 3 : ., Thuch’'s aller 7 ‘Ernie Fisher, oft Terrace B, Ci fou la ational’ cuits ‘that cain' be" ttadé-on' either the four”! +: cor:five day. week ‘calendar,: ‘and ‘by. ‘considéring a _vatiely of cost, Savings - -measures, «the. ‘board®~ ~ should be: able. to. avoid the. difficult ‘choice: betes to 'six'schools’- misrepresent the actual ~Savings by appioximately-. board. :indicates. that. other. “alternatives to ‘the’. above two’ options. do exist; For ‘instance, to. save’. “the $700,000- required, the: board could: consider. a. ~, combination. of .the: following. without a ‘Signifi- oo ~cant-impact on ‘the classroom.” tary: treasurer: “supports ‘these: ‘figures. with actual a expenditure figures: for a Variety. ‘of. (operational - “The: board has ilidicated on, two: separate’ esti-| “the draft: calendars. indicates: an, increase - Of a Sake a ~~ this. opportunity’ every: year to show case our: » dar ‘is misleading since: approximately :half of. the.“ ¢ mary talented Students ‘in so Jnany ways, ‘savings: have been, ‘achieved by. cuts, to services forest. reforms s roasted that can be’ made: on either: the four. "week calendar. ° ne -The‘board must provide: the public with 3 acost savings :estimate. for’ the’ four day: week. calendar: oh nancial: “tor avoid : week. ‘Such. savings. “would be: limited to. “decreases of vole approximately. 13 percent: in. ‘Custodial services,’ * -bussing: ‘costs, noon hour.’ supervision ‘and: crossing ~ “ cost: savings. achieved" ‘by. “further reductions. to. ‘these services, such’ as reducing’ the number of. : : _ yous? “Ask. -about.15° by the:calendar change and. should noi. be: includ- : ‘ed-in the: four-day week savings: estimate.) Cost. savings: Tesulting . from: cuts to main-. tenance; ‘audio -visual. technicians, grounds,’ read- ue and should also not be included as: four-day week” 1 f the. savings that san’ ibe achieved under: ~ either. the-four-or five day: calendar’ 3 are. removed : from. the board’s: four- ~day.: week” Savings’ esli- I spent. lion. ; moa et Hente, a. return’ to ‘the standard ‘school. vale it savings. By verifying that half >: uinfentty:, being dftribajted t ther : ive ek ha re. been, achipved through. Oper= : ‘tion;. ‘vole. ween accepling ‘the -f day week or. closing, up. . The. financial information. ‘presented by. ihe Dear: Sirs: . producing’ 1, -Salary. ‘GOsts . for’ ‘other: professionals. (professional staff at. board’ ‘office).:- oe The. projected : ‘financial profile: included with others, » 7 Wee are’ = bata accused of. high- grading oe stands here ahead of timber takeback Poy Te. giving up: their cut. here and. they’ Ie" keeping. it-in the’ interior, » where ‘they'-can work. with, non- -union:” forest’ worker Nopiit’ ‘Blackburn “ " By. JEFF NAGEL” _ nae INTERFOR and-West Fraser. ate being. . “accused “of ‘rushing. to liquidate. the “most: ‘profitable. timber: remaining” on guys,” ; stands. they’ re. slated to. ‘give. u this... said. “Tt $ just sickening.” : years 06: : Te: This. Liberal” goveinment,’ “all IWA ‘jnember Allan “Chesterman, ms ‘they’ te doing:is going ‘around: chopping. told a: union-sponsored forestry’ forum © “unions: They’ re’ “making -us ‘go. on wels. ‘here: ‘April: 30‘he Knows. workers..who.’ -fare, that’s what they’, re: doing.” mo are Boing: at out to. plan:and:carry out’ = Chesterman: ‘gaid-it's: ridiculous that : “the cutting: ‘of the best wood before the” the” twa, companies: willbe in-line for * impending ‘limber. =. = = compensation: for the timber being tak- en away. .“They’re Saying. “Pay” us $30. ~ or $40 million’ and: we'll give you back - ‘the stumps,”” he said, ~~ - About 20 ‘Beople, attended. the ‘for _um, “Jnterfor ” has this huge rush go- ing on‘to get. the - “high-value ‘wood “out: of the :areas - : hey’ re. giving “up: he. said. “The push i is: on.’ Crities of the: povernment’ 8 forest _teforms also‘ took aim, at Skeena MLA. ; Roger Harris, who ji is now, charged. with : . overseeing the forest‘transilion.as min- ‘ister of state for forestry Operations: ~ : Retired ° sawmill: worker. George Uirtanar f Chinn said: Hattis promised Prosperity in the woods. -but hasn’ t-delivered. "Darrel iWong. _ “Three | years: has-gone by. and . oi West “Fraser- and Interfor: are estimated. reductioti ‘available. information. : However, ” a reduction. in- + the ‘ofder of :$250;000 | Appears possible: =. <, 3. An alternative ‘calendar, that- ‘reduces’ ine. -struciional’ days by. fives io Provide, A wo-week ospring break; <> : schools j in’ Terrace. - sf - The“ closure: of. South: ‘Hazelion. ‘Elementary fe would: address. the. decreased enrolinent. ‘ins the ‘Hazeltons’ without. -excecding ‘the: enrolment, Cass : ‘sor you owe money. lo’ your ‘employer, and have longer work week? 3... "! ~This..is- how: the. B.C; Liberal government has. 22. : treated ‘health care: workers, and. more ‘important-" | dy, people; in: our community, Our. MLA: ‘Roger: rr ve ‘Harris. has ‘not | stood. up ‘for the: ‘people: din-our community and.in: fact supports: this reprehensi eae “ble step taken: by his. government. ir members ' ‘of. our’ community ‘in. support of. the- ‘people being’ dealt ‘this: raw-deal; and.” “pleased: to: cing support. from: people i in the om : bell and, the B. c Liberals... A festival thank you ‘1 would like West. Music. Festival. committee. for once. again. - like: to. thank: the : ‘parlicipants who. inade- these , : last’: ‘two weeks: SO: enjoyable, for me and man) an‘tbe détermined ‘from’ the’ ~ on. ‘realistic sti ales: of savings from os me the four-day’ week, calendar, the reduction-of five. instructional: days” would ‘save Approxifnately - “- $140,600 while maintaining’ a five-day week: i in- _structional schedule.:- "| ; .”.4. School closures that nddress ‘substantial de- ‘enrolment™ or. create K-7" ‘eleinentary’ the: ‘remaining iwa schiols: Bae , The: ‘reconfiguration, report. ‘from last- year esti-: ‘mated savings for:this option’ to: be. $220,000; »- The: ‘closure: of E.T: ‘Kenney.: 10 créate a. K: 7 elementary.. school achieve: ‘0 the -K-7 confi guration. 32 While: the board’ thas. not’ released savings stig: Oe ures: for this‘ closuré,. savings. are. likel¥to"be. °° similar to “South..Hazelton : ‘and: ‘would ‘bei in-the order of $200,000 to $250, 000." ao Z “The combinéd * ‘savings of th above’ options. . amount to just’ ‘over. $1 million and. represenis only: a.small numbet: of the possible options. : ” .: Tam: sure ‘that, “given -a ‘chance-and adequate: - information,’ the: ‘public: could generate“ Several’ other Options, that would. enable the board — | repeating: the, mistake of the: four-day. le Tanis Pursell, ; _ Terrace, BC _ ‘s. Just whenyou think Gordon Campbell ; and: his: 7 : ‘B aC, Liberals. can’t sink: any: lower, : ‘they surprise. yourself how: would ‘you like: to-have Le Your: current income “arbitrarily: decreased. by © oe per. cent,: have. the decrease - retroactive: ‘a: some time: on, the’ Protest line: with oth-" lected’ to ‘speak up for. the. a ‘ine of our. community’ ‘but chooses*instead to... ae ‘Tubber stamp. Gordon Campbell's draconian leer lation. teeny i $ou tielievd'| g: ‘pdople in, our’ cofnmiunity. bei’ Tnistrbitech by the“ * B.C: ‘Liberals, In-the-upcoming. provincial elec- tyept 1A]; re eae support the vol “against - Roper: Harris, Gordon Camp- aes “James D. Fraser, 7 7 Terrace, B.C: thank the hatd ‘working North - - . such an excellent festival -l:would ‘also’ ‘SO. J lucky ‘in this ‘commanity ‘to. have --Elaine Johnson, Terrace, R. c. . a 7 at forum BILL MIKALOFF takes signs protesting Liberal forest soley out of a forum hosted Friday night by the IA... both surrendering’ + cmost-of their-tim-. ° “ber holdifgs. along t the ocean. inlets south’ of:-Kitimat.o$.,part- of. the: take- = 2 sback: of -20 per cent of timber from-,, ~. major‘companies, Giving up more than: ; « al “20° per cent: here means - they'll ‘keep a-vote, But'it’s not election.time "yel.”.: “more: ‘stood ‘in: “other. areas where they.” ~Chinn® said: forest’ workers ‘are in.” : operate," : fod we “ deep’ distress as-months of:shutdowns: .- - “Others: at ‘the. ‘meeting said. ‘they’ ve. have: ‘turned: into ® -years,. particularly - heard: “West-Fraser is also. hurrying. to with, New. Skeena ‘Forest. ‘Products. “take ‘out the .most® lucrative timber‘ “They're: losing their. RSPs, every oe from’ the. parts, of its: TFL:41. ligence: thing. ‘They’re~ down: to, absolutely. “thatiti nothings! he said. “The devastation {i int: ~~ what’s:he showed. us?” Chinn demand- . ed. “He's showed us ‘nothing,’ " ne “TE it was election -time. he’ d ‘prob: ‘ably trip: over ‘a’ spider crossing the street to: shake | your hand to- try:to steal tain mills, - Ms =. this town. is terrible. If it wash't for the. ~ northern ‘people, “the: native: people, ‘-this town would be. dead.” ”: te ‘Other aspects. ‘of: forest. ‘policy: change also camé up. ‘such as the: end:., - of rules. that used to, tie. timber to. cer- “Anybody from: ‘Spuzzum. can: cbinie up: here to bid-on,a’ timber -sale,” * "Rene: Mikaloff.:"What does ‘that community Stability?" She said’the’ new “B,C. Timber: Sales “ ce Solely sleyoted to © generating =: as inuch money. as possible for Victor ia, ‘not employment in the region, - . Darrel Wong, president of TWA lo- ef add: up-to the elimination of. the-so- ~elal -conteact: that: “once: ‘promised ‘jobs:~. “and community” ‘stability. in. srehange for extraction of the resource: ?* **. t Brits ish Columbia,” he said,: “They. just. hac ven't. told afiyone. that yet. Mea ns Wong, ‘Who. “chaired . “the: meeting, “back call of New. Skeena’ 's timber: if,i ‘won't operate, was also pressed. to. explain. “why the: ~sTWAvhas backed New Skeena’s' re-:- | ‘quests, for. more timed from’ the courts. * ‘ cal. 2171, said the changes put’ ‘togeth- . eo “Sdalion offer. for. $18 million that would. ~ have: dismantled: the. company ‘as integraled forest: producer. : “ He’ said, the. allernaiive’ was. a ‘Tiqui- “ “Wong said he: Has: Jong ‘called: for ans nde the. company’s - ability’ 16 “use. ‘raw: log “exports.” and. Says: Victoria, ad should ‘have: moved long: ‘ago: to take. — F too. er