Radio, TV workers are poised to strike SKEENA BROADCASTERS’ radio, TV and cable operations across the northwest could be behind picket lines as carly as Fri- day morning. Contract talks broke down a month ago and a federal concilliation officer booked out last week, putting unionized workers in, position to either strike or be locked out anytime after midnight Thursday, said Communications, Energy and Paper- workers national rep Art Simmonds. ° Employees backed the threat of job action with a 76 per cent strike vote Jan, 31st. The main issue is money. The company’s final offer at the end of January was for a three-year contract with increases of 0, 1, and 1.5 per cent, Sim- monds said, The union wants pay hikes of 2, 3 and 3 per cent coupled with improvements in layoff severance pay and group benefits. Simmonds said Skeena Broadcasters ‘members are among the poorest paid of similar employees they represent in non- metropolitan areas, ‘Our members are angry,’’ he said. “This is a company that reported in their last annual report strong profits. They con- tinue to report increases in eamings and revenues, in addition they’ve been making acquisitions of other radio stations.’’ He said employees agreed to a very poor settlement — two per cent over more than NEW RULES two years — in thelr previous contract be- cause of the difficult economy. “We agreed to that after hearing how tough times were but it mow appears times weren’t so tough,’” Simmonds said. Despite the profits, he said, the company has scaled back the number of employces and their hours in recent years, leaving those remaining frustrated about the quality of the work they’re able to do, “The company has. reduced staffing levels to the point where people can no longer put out a product that they believe the company has a responsibility to put out,”’ Simmonds said, “It's a commonly held view among the employees that they’ve cut so far back that they’re not capable of meeting their licence requirements any more in terms of news coverage and reflecting the communitics back to themselves.” Personnel manager Sharon Taylor declined to comment on the labour dispute, except to say the concilliator is continuing ‘discussions with both sides in attempt to bridge the gap. The union represents about 35 employees at offices in Terrace, Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Smithers. They include all administra- tive support, on-air news and production workers, except sales staff, management and cable installers. The old contract expired last November. Sports teams told to clean up their act LOCAL SPORTS | teams a problem for years, * Glass bottles from the should be selling up port-a- potties and booking extra garbage bins for tournament games this summer. _ That according to a new set of rules set out at a joint Terrace Parks and Recrea- tion, regional district, and field uscr group meetings held Feb, 23. Too many people are using school grounds as bathrooms, and it’s got to Stop, team representatives were told. Steve Scott, Superinten- dent of Parks and Recrea- tion, said the issue has been Last year, activity peaked and parents complained, The regional district and parks and recreation decided to pet tough. “We're going to deal with it this year and that’s it,” Scott said. School grounds. will be monitored and teams that violate the new rules will be suspended, said regional district rep Roger Tooms., Other rules teams will need to follow include: * Picking up garbage and putting it Jin eee cans park. * Is illegal to drink ai- cohol in public without a liquor licence. Licences can be bought for specific tournaments but never for events held on school fields, * Fires should only be in barbecue pits. * Washroom facilities for all tournaments, to be secured and emptied before school starts the next day. . Unless otherwise notified, teams should stay off playing fields until May 1, when they are expected to _., be dry and strong, provided, ”, ay Evelyn's two young children swarmed around her. “Mamma, mamma, Mrs. Manson had another baby. Mamma, can we have a baby too? We'll take care of it, we promise!’ Evelyn turned a little graen. diapers, sleepless nights, and years of chauf- feuring to basketball games, ballet lessons and music recitals was more than she ‘could contemplate. “Darlings, | love you both dearly, but Mamma needs time to take care of you. Why don’t you go help Mrs. Mansan? She' be delighted.” That night, after her children were asleep, an exhausted Evelyn collapsed onto the sofa beside her husband. He continued to read the paper and watch television through one eye. “Peter, we've got to talk," “Hmmmmm,.” Peter's eyes remained Blued to the paper. Evelyn gently lowered the paper. “Honey, | don't want to get pregnant again. In a few years | could be back In school. | love you, | love our children. But a third child would really set me back.” Peter reached over and hugged Evelyn. "You're absolutely right. We have a happy family and you've been a wonderful mother. Why don’t you see Dr, Curtis and arrange for a sterilization procedure. | understand it's a simple operation.” A year after the sterilization, Evelyn frantic- ally called Peter at work, “Peter, Peter, a horrible thing has hap- pened. I'M PREGNANT!!IITIIIHII” That evening, Peter and Evelyn sat close on the sofa in front of a blazing fire. You BE THE JUDGE BY CLAIRE BERNSTEIN Start knitting those little booties! The thought of another round of non-step _ BASED ON ACTUAL COURT CASES “What do you want to do, Evelyn?” Evelyn sat quietly for a long time. Then she answered with a sigh. “Peter, | can't bear to have an abortion, And | could never give the baby up for adop- tion. We have unlimited love for aur two children. We'll have unlimited love for the third. It'll be just fine.” Nine months later Evelyn gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Peter and Evelyn sued the doctor, for wrongful birth. {In court, Evelyn looked haggard from the 2 a.m. feedings. “Your Honour, | was sterilized because | didn't want ary more children! While we love our new baby, the fact is that Dr, Curtis made a mistake and we ended up with an unwanted pregnancy. Make the dactor take responsibility and pay for my pregnancy and the cost of raising a third child,” Or. Curtis was enraged. “Your Honour, maybe | made a mistake In the procedure, but I'm not responsibie for her pregnancy or the care of that baby. Evelyn could've aborted It or given It away. She didn't! She loves the new baby, and they can afford it, That baby Is Evelyn's responsibility, not mine!” Should the doctor pay for the pregnancy and the cost of raising the child’? Youl Be the Judge. Then look below for the decision. SPONSORED BY \ RS oey Vv & GRUE, LAWYERS “Helping People Cope with the Legal System” Sep Grant Lindsay Criminal Defence Law #2 4623 Lakelse Ave Terrace, B.C. Holly Grueger General Law Phone 638-1764 Fax 638-7249 Marshall Matias Family Law YOU BE THE JUDGE - DECISION “Evelyn, you're entitlad to $30,000 for the falled sterlization and for the pragnanoy,” the Judge decided. “But yau decided to keep the baby, so Dr, Curtle Isn't responelble for the coste of ralsing the child.” YOU! BE THE JUDGE is based on actual court cases. Today's decision is based on the facts of the case and the law of tha province of Ontario, If you have a similar problem, please consult Lindsey & Grueger. Claire Berniteln | is 8 Montreal lawyer and nationally on iolee columnist. Copyright 1987 Halka Enterprisas, B14-3 The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 3 1999 - A9 fee h- ev tirs¥ i On time and on budget o Home renovations ® New home construction Commercial construction Cortified Blue Max® rigid foam/concrete installation aC: certified byildor Mamber: Naw Home Warranty program of Terrace School of Personal Development & Modelling The Contemporary Teen 30 hours of instruction - $395 March 15 - 20, 1999 Please call 638-8484 ; | for further information & registration gi BARTON CONSTAUCTION LTD. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Building @ Reputation far Quality Me Tel/fax 635-6244 x ee thy SN Na ee rie s | ity Area Wows FOR. 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C. of the Cariboo & Royal Roads University, block transfer to-UVIC, UNBC, **4e* block transfer to UVIC - Child & Youth Care. TRADES TECHNOLOGY * Heavy Duty Mechanic * Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) | ° Welding - Level C,B,A ak kk * Automotive Repair Technician * Carpentry/Joinery * Commercial Transport Repair * Professional Cook Training CAREER & COLLEGE PREPARATION English,’ “Math. and Science upgrading from grades six to twelve. Prepares you for entry into career, trades, technical and university programs or increases your opportunities for employment. a toan Educational Advisor - 635-6511 pe Abend santos Darky — gegen . OF visif our websiteiat wwwalwcee.bc.ca LEARN At BEVIER LWit Wee. 2 Peer PP Pac cant 1999 WINTER BRIDAL FAIR The Terrace Bridal Fair 99 committee would like to thank all the businesses, sponsors and individuals who participated in and helped make this years event a great success. Special acknowledgement to:’ -Best Western Terrace Inn for donating the hotel facilities -Barb Kerr of Carlson Wagonlit First Choice Travel for arrangements for the fabulous grand prize -Models and their assistants -Mary Ann Lawrence our Fashion M.C. Bridal Fair Committee | Colleen Nyce - Nyce Lady Dress. & Bridal Shop Dullss Kleamyck - Best Western Terrace Inn Nan Richardson - Photowork Studio