Labor legislat VICTORIA — It is the fate of any labor legislation in B.C. to be repudiated by trade unions the moment it’s introduced. The legislation outlawing strikes or lockouts until public sector unions and employers have pub- licly disclosed the issues is no exception. “I’m afraid the premier is living on the moon. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I realize how absurd this is,” was the response from John Shields, president of the B.C. Government Employees Union. “A wacko bill from a wacko premier,” said NDP finance critic Glen Clark, setting a new low in political courtesy and inter-party relations. Aside from lamenting the lack of manners the two aforemen- tioned gentlemen display, I disa- gree with the substance of what they are trying to say in their own tude way. The bill creates a registrar of public sector bargaining whose job it will be to set a public meeting before any strike or lockout begins. Notice of such a meeting must be published in a newspaper. The legislation specifically pro- vides for admittance of the news media to these meetings, a cute twist, considering the low opinion politicians tend to have of the media. At the meeting, both the union and the employer must give a summary of all matters on which they have reached agreement. They must also submit a sum- mary of issues that have not yet been resolved and their respective positions regarding these outstand- ing issues. The legislation further requires public sector unions and employ- ers to file public statements within two days of the start of contract negotiations, outlining what each side believes will be the issues in dispute and their respective posi- tions on those issues. Similar sum- Maries are required from both sides if strike or lockout notice is given. A union isn’t allowed to strike, unless it has filed its summaries and the employer has responded to them. Similarly, the employer can- not order a lockout until it has ion potential filed its summaries and the unions given its response. I like it. As a journalist I have often been frustrated, trying to sort out details of a labor-management dispute after it got out of hand. Believe me, it’s not easy. By the time strike or lockout notice is given, relations between the two parties usually consist of trading insults. Statements regard- ing the issues that brought about the strike or lockout are suspect. At about the same time, both sides will try to win public sup- port, an endeavor that usually has very little to do with the truth. Previously, of course, neither side was very communicative. Now, if private firms and the unions representing their employ- ees want to engage in this sort of game, that’s up to them. Public sector employers and public sector unions, on the other hand, have an obligation to the public they serve. This legislation, I believe, would give both sides an opportunity to serve the public a little better. Since the public elects the employers and underwrites the paycheques of the employees, it should have a chance to exercise some influence on the collective bargaining process. The legislation would do just that, but more important, it might even prevent the two sides from becoming victims of their own rhetoric. Continued from Page AG Propaganda spread by beef corporations Editor: The article on k.d. lang and meat eating by Arthur Black (Wes- terners stung by sidewinder in saddlebag, This Week, July 18) was interesting although I thought that the writer's attitude unneces- sarily flippant. I also noticed that he did not use the name of the General Manager of the Canadian Cattlemens Asso- ciation, probably because that clearly inexpert gentleman JAMES FOR NOW ...... PARK NORTH OF JAMES WHITE RD doesn’t want the world to know that he has shot himself in the hoof! His remarks about celebrities who “think they’re experts in areas where they have no exper- tise” is pure prejudice. So lets assume first that k.d. can read — that would seem a necessary talent for her to have become such a successful singer and song-writer. She may therefore have read that after the Second World War scien- tists and researchers began to com- pile comprehensive statistics cor- relating the diet and health of people throughout the world. FREE PARKING DRIVE WHITE ) 3:45 10:30 PM THE “BIG ONES” 7 DAYS A WEEK SIDNEY DROP-IN BINGO FREE PARKING One fact emerged consistently; the heavy flesh eaters' of the world; the Eskimos, the Laplanders, the Greenlanders and the Russian Kurgi Tribes have the shortest life-expectancy, averaging around 30 years. When this was compared with the non-meat eaters of the world who live in similar harsh condi- tions; Russian Caucasians, East Indian Todas, Pakistan Hunzukuts and Yucatan Indians, it was found that their life expectancy was between 90 and’ 100 years! This significant fact emerging Continued on Page A22 SIDNEY, B:C. PM (NO TICKETS), | <<. BINGO! 9842 3RD_ TheReview Wednesday, August 1,1990 — Al@ GOLDEN BEAR B’FAST SUNDAY BRUNCH $2” 3 EGGS 2 RASHERS BACON SAUSAGE B & R HAM TOAST BRN. HASH BROWNIES Come and let us do the cooking! 2200 Beacon Ave. 656-1176 Working for you 4452A WEST SAANICH RD. (ROYAL OAK SHOPPING CENTRE) Please Call 479-6777 TERRY HUBERTS MLA SAANICH & THE ISLANDS indicated:- Mediu develo TOWN OF SIDNEY NOTICE The Council of the Town of Sidney intends to adopt the following bylaw amending the Zoning Bylaw No. 750 as ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 1020 TO REZONE THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY FROM “A-Residential” to “B-2 Multiple Family Residential- " m for the purpose of construction of a\four unit patio home pment. A Development Variance Permit is also being considered for siting purposes: LOT 2; SECTION 12, RANGE 4E, PLAN 11305 4 Sees 2 3 y : Wh z \ B : N T SPISC7 Z Z 212197 PROPOSED LEZONING ee § 4 Ue | SNOKWN HA renee : 2ZeL2 eer a RE Ye Fre \ | Z| 5. | 4nZ6 26 7 | SPI72Z5; * é R os Dieses Sef kK 4 A ~ Ale 23| 5) Xe ZeaalN esl | eye Sj i ‘ Copies of the amending bylaw and permit may be inspected at the Town Hall, 2440 Sidney Avenue, on regular business — days (excepting holidays) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from July 30th, 1990 to August 8th, 1990- Any persons who deem that their interests may be affected by the plans of the proposed development should submit their. comments in writing to the undersigned no later than 4:00 p.m., August 10th, 1990. G. S. Logan, A.C.1.S., P Admin. C.M.C. Administrator Town of Sidney 2440 Sidney Avenue Sidney, B.C, VSL 1Y7-