[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] BC Labour E-news - Issue #24, May 21, 2002 E-NEWS ALERT

Tue May 21 17:26:10 PDT 2002

BC LABOUR E-NEWS
Issue #24 - May 21, 2002 - E-NEWS ALERT

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MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD - MAY 25 ON THE STREETS OF VANCOUVER

Vancouver's downtown core will be dominated by the largest
demonstration the city has seen for many years on Saturday, May
25 as Campaign BC calls on British Columbians to demonstrate
their rejection of the Campbell government's program of job
losses, hospital closures, education cuts, privatization and
deregulation.

"We need to show the Liberals we remain committed to a society
with a prosperous economy, a universally-accessible health care
system, quality public education and strong communities," said
B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. He warned the
downtown core will be shut down to regular traffic: it will be
easy to get to the march, but hard to do much else.

"There is a crisis of democracy in this province as the Liberals
use their massive majority to end debate in the Legislature and
impose closure on bills that will eliminate the eight-hour day
and cut disability benefits," Sinclair said.

"We have a voice -- we must make it heard.  Silence implies
consent and British Columbians in Vancouver and the Lower
Mainland need to demonstrate their rejection of the Campbell
government's direction."

Sinclair said preparations are well-advanced for the march, which
will see First Nations, seniors, people with disabilities,
unionists and many others marshalling at four locations, walk
through the downtown core, and rally at Sunset Beach near the
Burrard Street bridge.

Vancouver City Police will be advising motorists of the timing of
street closures on Georgia and Burrard during the morning to
facilitate the demonstration.  At least 300 volunteer marshalls
will provide security and direct the marchers.

The march will include the largest banner in BC history and
street theatre.  The rally at Sunset beach will feature a three-
hour program of BC musicians and performers to be confirmed this
week.

A map of the march route and rally location is available at:

< http://www.campaignbc.ca/mayroutemap.html >

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MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD -- ON TELEVISION'S VOICE OF BC

Vaughn Palmer will be interviewing Labour Minister Graham Bruce
on Wednesday, May 22 at 8:00 pm on the issue of whether more
flexibility in the workplace means a stronger BC economy.

The Liberal government introduced legislation on the Labour Code,
Workers' Compensation and the Employment Standards Act on May 13. 
B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair criticized the
controversial changes as an 'employer bill of rights' and
challenged the Liberals to allow full public discussion of the
legislation rather than ram through the bills in the few
remaining days of the session.

Call Voice of BC at 1-888-891-9097 and ask your questions live
after 8:40 PM.

Voice of BC airs to a combined Shaw TV audience of 1,050,000
subscribers located throughout the Greater Vancouver, Sunshine
Coast, Okanagan, Kamloops, Prince George and Vancouver Island
areas in cooperation with Delta Cable TV, and Campbell River TV
affiliates.

To download a summary of changes to the Employment Standards Act:

< http://www.bcfed.com\news\media\Extra\ESAchanges.pdf >

To download a summary of changes to the Workers' Compensation
Act:

< http://www.bcfed.com\news\media\Extra\WCBchanges.pdf >

To download a summary of changes to the Labour Relations Code:

< http://www.bcfed.com\news\media\Extra\labourcodechange.pdf >

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opeiu 15

BC Federation of Labour
http://www.bcfed.com

Campaign BC
http://www.campaignbc.ca

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