[Community_Media] B.C. Federation of Labour News Release - December 12, 2002

[Bev Pausche]

BC Federation of Labour

December 12, 2002
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Over half of BC families in Northern BC say they're worse off this Christmas
than they were last year
The majority of Northern British Columbians are facing a Christmas with less
money in their pockets than this time last year.  B.C. Federation of Labour
President Jim Sinclair today called for swift action to stem a growing tide
of despair.
Sinclair's call for action followed on the heels of a poll conducted by the
B.C. Federation of Labour, showing 59 percent of Northern British Columbians
say their situation is worse this Christmas than last year.
"These figures are a terrible indictment of the failure of the government's
economic agenda," said Sinclair.  "The Liberals should immediately announce
a province-wide moratorium on service cuts and layoffs."
While not as dramatic, figures for the rest of the province show that 35
percent of British Columbians felt worse off, bringing the total to nearly
one million families who have fallen behind in just twelve months.
"Rural communities need some good news this Christmas and Gordon Campbell
has to step up to the plate and announce he will put an end to service cuts,
layoffs and privatization," Sinclair said. 
Sinclair challenged the province to get aid quickly to cash-strapped workers
affected by the softwood lumber dispute, and said that any package must
include funding for pension bridging so that young workers can get back to
work as soon as possible.
"If the Liberals are hoping to attract people to BC and keep them here,
they've got to start looking for new solutions to the economic crisis
gripping this province," Sinclair said.  "Tax cuts have been a total
failure."
The results of the poll, conducted November 14-17 by CGT Research, are
considered accurate to within 4.9 percent, 19 times out of 20.  Four hundred
respondents were questioned.
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For more information: Bev Pausche 604-220-0739.

opeiu 15

Bev Pausche
Communications Assistant
BC Federation of Labour

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