[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] Issue 35 - October 2, 2002

[bc_labour_enews-admin at bcfed.net]

BC LABOUR E-NEWS
Issue #35 - October 2, 2002 

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CONTENTS

MUNICIPAL LEADERS ENDORSE HYDRO CLASS ACTION SUIT

ROUND II: DAY OF ACTION IN VICTORIA PLANNED FOR OCT 7

BC SHIPYARDS UNDERCUT FOREIGN BIDS FOR FERRY WORK

FOR-PROFIT HIGHWAYS UNFAIR TO SMALL COMMUNITIES

NEWSPAPERS SNUB UNION ADS

TALKS RESUME IN TIMES-COLONIST DISPUTE

OMBUDSMAN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE SENIORS' MORTALITY RATES

FAST FACTS ON GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

EVENTS

FEEDBACK ON E-NEWS

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MUNICIPAL LEADERS ENDORSE HYDRO CLASS ACTION SUIT
Mayors and councilors from across the province are endorsing BC Citizens for
Public Power's class action suit to stop the privatization and deregulation
of BC Hydro, says Union of BC Municipalities' (UBCM) past president Jim
Abram.

Full story:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#hydro >

Read about and endorse BC Citizens for Public Power's class action suit:

< http://www.citizensforpublicpower.ca/classaction/index.html >

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ROUND II: DAY OF DEFIANCE IN VICTORIA PLANNED FOR OCT 7
Victoria is gearing up for a day of action to coincide with the opening of
the legislature October 7.

Organizers are planning a march and rally, beginning at 10 a.m. from
Centennial Square in Victoria.

Full story:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#action >

For updated information, including a poster, visit:

< http://members.shaw.ca/solidarity/ >

< http://www.campaignbc.ca >

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BC SHIPYARDS UNDERCUT FOREIGN BIDS FOR FERRY WORK
One of BC's shipyards has beaten the foreign competition with the lowest bid
in the first tender for the refit of five BC Ferries' ships, says the
Shipyard General Workers' Federation.

Full story:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#ferry >

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FOR-PROFIT HIGHWAYS UNFAIR TO SMALL COMMUNITIES
The poeple who design and maintain BC's highways have strongly criticized
Gordon Campbell's plan to impose billions of dollars worth of tolls and
allow for-profit companies to own and operate the highway system.

Full story:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#highway >

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NEWSPAPERS SNUB UNION ADS
Three lower mainland newspapers refused to run UFCW local 1518 newspaper ads
last month that were designed to raise support for Loman's Warehouse workers
about to lose their jobs.

For more information, visit the UFCW 1518 website:

< http://www.ufcw1518.com/ >

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TALKS RESUME IN TIMES-COLONIST DISPUTE

Talks between unionized workers and management of the Times-Colonist
newspaper in Victoria resumed this week.

Full story:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#ads >

Visit the Victoria-Vancouver Island Newspaper Guild's site for more
information on this dispute:

< http://www.vving.ca/ > 

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OMBUDSMAN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE SENIORS' MORTALITY RATES
Seniors' groups and health advocates are asking the B.C. Ombudsman to
investigate whether the elderly are at risk as a result of the provincial
government policy to close nursing homes.

Full story:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#mortality >

For more information:

< http://www.bchealthcoalition.ca >

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FAST FACTS ON GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY IN AMERICA
In 1975, 71 percent of employees had "defined benefit" pension plans. In
1999, only 29 percent had them. -- Jeff Faux, The American Prospect.

"Twenty years ago, employers paid an average of sixty-three cents into
employee pensions for each hour worked. In 1996, they paid forty-five cents.
Medical benefits have similarly eroded." -- Atlantic Monthly, October 2002.

To the website:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#fastfacts >

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EVENTS

Read event listings on the website:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#events >


ROUND II - DAY OF DEFIANCE
Fight back! October 7
Rally and March
10:00 a.m.
Centennial Square
Victoria, BC

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OPPOSITION CAUCUS LEVEE 
Saturday, October 5
7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Science World
1455 Quebec Street
Vancouver, BC
Silent auction, cash bar, interactive displays, complimentary appetizers
Tickets (all tickets tax receipted):
Patrons: $1000 - Receive 10 tickets, recognition in the program and a
commemorative gift.

Host: $500 - Receive 5 tickets, recognition in the program and a
commemorative gift.

Supporter - $200 - Receive 2 tickets and recognition in the program.

Contributor - $100 - Receive 1 ticket and recognition in the program.

Regular tickets: $50.
To order tickets and for more information, call the BC NDP Provincial Office
at 604-430-8600
email:
< mailto:bcndp at bcdnp.ca >

website:
< http://www.bcndp.ca >

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Federated Anti-Poverty Group Conference 
Sunday, October 06, 2002 to Wednesday, October 09, 2002 
This anti-poverty group has been having a annual conference with groups from
BC for 25 years. 
Connecting Legal Services, Women's Groups, Advocacy Groups, Disability
Groups, Metal Health Groups, Union Groups, and volunteers. 
The cost is approximately $400.00 for 5 days. 
Info: 
< mailto:tiarablkcat at hotmail.com >

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BC HYDRO CLASS ACTION SUIT SIGN-UP CAMPAIGN
BC Citizens for Public Power needs volunteers in the Lower Mainland
Saturday, October 5, 2002
If you are available to volunteer in the Lower Mainland, please call:
Marj Owen at 604-473-3884

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FEEDBACK ON E-NEWS

To the website:

< http://www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/Enews.htm#feedback > 

Re: WCB 
It wasn't bad enough that they announced the Cranbrook WCB office will
close, the local MLA (Bill Bennett) on the same day said they were closing
it because they didn't provide a good service and that there were some
problems. 
Shame on these bastards. 
Have we had enough yet? 

Sharron Gardner 
Chair 608 BCGEU 
Cranbrook

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