A16 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 10, 2001 Skeena Cellulose terminates 110 jobs By JEFF NAGEL SKEENA CELLULOSE terminated 110 of its remaining 160 salaried staff Oct. 4 in a bid to convince the courts to grant it fur ther protection from its creditors. Because the employees - who include Managers, secretaries, supervisors and technical staff — are not unionized, they” have no right of recall and are. not laid off, said Skeena MLA Roger Harris. He said they effectively become unse- cured creditors. “It was the only way to. convince the judge to extend. [creditor protection],” he said, If the company should be ‘declared bankrupt, the employees become: secured creditors for the first $2,000 of any sever- ance pay owed them under provincial ‘le- gislation. Any amount after that is consid- ered unsecured, the lowest level on the creditor scale. Although the employees may ultimate- ly be hired back they may lose much of their seniority rights, such as amount of annual vacation, Harris said. “This is another group that finds them- selves between a rock and a hard place.” Enterprise minister Rick Thorpe said the terminations served as a demonstra- tion of cost control to bolster the govern- From front ment’s case to extend creditor protection. Thorpe said the move was also direc- ted by court-appointed monitors. “It’s the second time we've been requested by the monitor, Arthur Andersen, to do that.” - The union representing pulp mill work- ers in Prince Rupert had criticized Skee- na for keeping its managers on, calling that.a waste of money crucial for restart- ing operations. A key reason for extending creditor protection is to preserve tax losses SCI has racked up. Its accrued $330 million in losses over _the past seven years could be worth a maximum of $50 million to $150 million to a buyer able to use. the losses as a tax- writeoff against its profits elsewhere, - That motivation was confirmed again in court documents filed Wednesday. “A bankruptcy and liquidation of as- sets would eliminate [SCI's] tax losses, © thereby removing a feature of the transac- tion which would be very attractive to a new owner,” stated the newest affidavit of a lawyer on behalf of the company. “One of the parties with whom the pe- titioners are negotiating has specifically told me that they are not interested in proceeding with discussions if the pelitio- ners are in bankruptcy.” CRIME all SrOPPERS 635-TIPS Former Repap bosses Thorpe is making no commitments on behalf of logging cantractors who are owed $2.5 million and who have blockaded the mill and the bank. “The logging contrac- tors are unfortunately caught up in the court pro- ceedings,” he said. “We cannot pick who gets paid and who does not — that’s up to the courts. I sympa- thize with them, I under. stand their plight.” who also appeared in courl lobbying for the extension, said he finds claims of symoathy suspect in light of the $150 million the province has found to give to the TD. “T found that rather gal- ling because not one penny of that was paid to the contractors. You would think if they had a smid- gen of conscience at all they would have included the contractors.” Mayor Jack Talstra, “If they had the welfare TERRACE VOLUNTEER BUREAU Do you need help on a regular basis for doctors’ appointments, banking, shopping, or a friendly visit? For more information on help from a regularly sched- uled volunteer on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, call Terrace Volunteer Bureau at CALL: 638-1330 CRIME lial! STOPPERS Terrace Crime Stoppers are ‘asking for your help to “solve a theft from vehicle from September 27th, 2001. s * ; Overnight on “September 26/271h, 2001; ‘a Dodge _ Pickup. truck was broken: into.and. several ‘ite if value taken :from inside: The: driver's sid "was smashed out with a plece. of concrete The following article are: -missing- -*An Optimus CD player (portabl ‘ ‘Assorted fly-fishing aquipment : eA fly making kit-in a green chest . * A man's. wallet with photo identifi cation. Thefts from’ ‘motor’ “vehicles are an. “ongsing 2 issus Report. -suspich night, to the police, ° If you have any information about this or any other: similar incidents, or:if you know. the. identity: of the” ‘person or persons responsible for this, or any other. crime - ‘Crime Stoppers would like to hear, from you. Grime Stoppers olfers a cash reward: of up to $1,000.00 lor Information leading to an arrest and charges being lald agalnst an individual In this or other unsolved crime. if you have any information call Crime Steppers at 635-TIPS that’s 635-8477. Callers will not be required to reveal thelr Identity nor testify in court, Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Call 635-TIPS 7 TERRY'S TIPS LUBE IT OR LOOSE IT! Automotive locks in particular ze require frequent lubrication or they can easily se seize up requiring expensive replacement. Select a lubricant carefully as some popular lubes will leave a hard film inside the lock and eventually cause it to fail. Generally Teflon sprays are recommended for automotive and locks used outdoors, with graphite powder used for indoor locks. * Commercial, Residential, Automotive Lackemithing * Safes - Sates & Service # Emergency Openings + Bonded & Insured 1 ASSA& MIWA High Security Locks 4624A GREIG AVENUE, TERRACE, B.C. V8G 1M9 PHONE (260) 685-6549 © Toll Free 1-888-560-5549 TERRY’S LOCK and wellbeing of the com- munities at heart you would think they would sit down and try to negotiate something on their behalf.” The court rejected an application by Talstra to increase the amounts that can be paid to unsecured creditors from $1,000 to $50,000. That would have dealt with the bulk of claims for unpaid bills by contractors, he said. YouR Your Terrace Stondord/ Weekend Advertiser NEWSPAPER CARRIERS are out there PLEASE LIGHT UP THE PATHWAY TO YOUR DOOR WHEN DARKNESS SETS IN MacKay’s Funeral Service Ltd. Serving Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers & Prince Rupert Monuments Bronze Plaques Terrace Crematorium Concerned personal service in the Northwest since 1946 4626 Davis Street Terrace, B.C, V8G 1X7 if Funeral Sevce Phone 635-2444 © Pax 635-635-2160 Assockation 24 hour pager GITXSAN WET'SUWETIEN EDUCATION SOCIET Home Support Attendant Program January 2002 SECOND HOME SUPPORT PROGRAM 10 BE OFFERED IN THE HAZELTONS Take your first ste the Health Care Profession into iving Due to the high demand, the Home Support Attendant Programs will be offered by the Gitxsan Wet'suwet'en Education Society in partnership with Open Learning Agency this January, 2002. With the health trend moving towards home care, opportunities for employment are growing in the labour market. Registration packages are now available at the First Nations Educetion Centre in Hazelton. ONLY 22 SEATS AVAILABLE SO REGISTER SOON! | Deadline for applications: November 1", 2001} Pre) is ites English 10 Sailsfactory Medical Record Negative TD tent Current Lmmuvization Record Clear Criminal Record! 2 References Completed Coutse Registration $2500 per person For more information Contact Tracey or Jessica at 260-842-2248 FITS MOST TERRACE VOLUNTEER BUREAU HELPING HANDYMAN PROGRAM For seniors and persons with disabilities Do you need help with fall yard cleanup, washing outside windows, and minor home repairs? Put your name on the list for shoveling your walkway and stairs. Do you need help winterizing your home or mobile’? Professional estimates on major home repairs available - phone for information, Volunteers are here to help! Call the Volunteer Bureau at 638-1330 HELPING HANDYMAN PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! Looking for Men, Women and Young Adults who are dedicated to helping the elderly and disabled who live in their neighbourhood to maintain a tgifortable and safe independence. f Volunteer to help with: Raking leaves Cleaning of eaves .. Gleaning outside windows 8s Minor home repairs Snow shoveling of walks and stairs © - Call the Volunteer Bureau at 638-1330 Your assistance is appreciated!! TERRACE VOLUNTEER BUREAU #2-3215 Eby Street (lower level City Hall) Terrace, BC 1987-1994 Cavalier and Sunbird © 1985- 1994 Grand Includes installation and lifetime warratity on dealership installed parts. Other shorks availabte at great prices, Excellent tires. Excellent value. Includes installation, balancing, valve stem, and lifetime rotation, $95” each* 195/65R35 4 year Road Hazard Warranty and 130,000 km Treadwear Warronty, 15" Uniroyal Tiger Paw* Aquagiip™ $128 a0 205/70R15 6 year Rood Hozard Warranty: 140,000 km Treadwear Wt fri LOOKING FOR TRUCK TIRES? Check out our wide selection of truck tires at great prices. some sizes may be limited, BFGoodrich’ GoopfVEAR At your participating GM Dealership. ¢Appties ta ACDelco rear gas-charged shock #GB946036, Offer available ta retall cusiormers only. See ACDelca warranty stalement tor complete details. Dealer fahour warrantied (ar 12 months or 20,000krm whichever occurs first. "Shop and environmental chargas included. Note: On all specials above: Applicable taxes extea. Dealer may sail tor loss, Sea déiler for details. All oMers end November 30, 2001,