Aé - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 20, 1999 ‘ CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Can’t let them do this Dear Sir: 1 attended the business summit in Ter- race B.C. on Sept, 17, 1999, After having read their report, 1 was totally shocked and angered. I can’t be- lieve their recommendations are being proposed under the guise of being benefi- cial to this community and B.C.’s future. Their corporate bias only ensures that business interests are being met, not those of our community or any other in this province. When you consider some of the sum- mit report recommendations, I hope you also question how they can help the workers, their families and communilies. They propose to: Lower minimum wages for youth - whose lot is already at a historically low . level and bordering on hopelessness; _ End the tuition freeze which will sig- nify that condilions prevalent to aur en- tering the 20th century shall be the status quo at the close of this millennium - edu- cation for the privileged only; Allow employers to use scabs during labour disputes, putting to rest collective bargaining and ali the basic rights earned for people with only their backs and brains to use as bargaining tools in order lo provide basic necessilies guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of December 10, 1948; Eliminate mandatory workplace health and safety committees. Where does this stop? This imply that workers can expect fo receive the same contempt shown our environment; Reduce the current minimum daily hour provision of work requirement from 4-2 hours. Are these suggested community benefits going to be aided by continuing cuts to social programs and job losses through downsizing and computer advan- cements? A further priority of the business sum- mit seems to be the reduction or elimina- tion of the services of labour standards. This legislation, as so many owners -know, represents the only insurance and protection available against exploitation of so-many by those who would use their business. advantage as a licence (not to suggest any member of the panel does or would) to justify questionable practices. To appreciate the magnitude of the smallest reduction of existing labour stan- dards laws, one only need consider the work of the Employment Standards Branch. It receives 60,000 calls for ser- vice per month. This equates to’ 720,000 per year in B.C, and the numbers suggests the need for its continued existence. 1 feel, as | am sure many of you do, ‘that if any of the stated recommendations are adopted, the health of communities throughout B,C, will not only be at risk but shall develop a terminal incurable disease (greed), which will speed up third world global conditions. Just consider the consequences. Mulli- lateral Agreement on Investments and APEC are two international bodies not in- teresled in your needs. Let them know you won’t tolerate the removal or reduc- tion of your hard earned human rights and freedoms before it is too late, _ Fascism (merging between govern- ment and business leadership) is some- thing Canadian soldiers died to defeat in the Second World War. Gerry King, Skeena Anti-Poverty, Terrace, B.C. No-smoke rule a threat to NDP Dear Sir; Re: "Smokers get butt oul word", The Terrace Standard, Oct. 6, 1999. , Raiph McGinn apparently is too short sighted to realize smokers are already pushed against the wall to put up with that Workers’ Compensation Board regu- lation. The reason behind that regulation is not the smoker. It is the money that will be extorted from the small: business S8-__. SWrantcan_noihe compared to an outright. vt tablishment. The fines speak, for itself starting with $1,500 to $500,000 dollars as a third offence. McGinn and characters like minded suffer fram grandeur and illusions, It cer- tainly will put an end for the smoking public to visit a bingo hal! or any place where people meet. Whoever dreamed up that anli smoking regulation apparently does not own a business, and never will have the guts to risk his hard earned money to own one. "People will adjust" all right. A short airplane ride or eating .a meal at a resi- ban on smoking, It'will also spell an end to the party in power that supports and passed that regulation. Manfred Bader, Thornhill, B.C. SPECIAL PRICING on n in-stock only starting a at $1 02°°° {box (200 sq.F, or IRLY BIRD ar - Irly Bird Building Supplies ’ 4425 Keith Avenue, Terrace Phone: 638-8700 Open 7 Days A Week In-Store Financing available OAC, “THE PLACE TO STOP BEFORE YOU START” Mention this ad and receive 10%. your boat winterization, WINTERIZE YOUR BOAT | 7 The Time Is Now To INEID ENTERPRISES LTD. Recreational Sales and Services 4921 Keith Ave., Terrace, B.C. | . 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