Briefly: August 31, 2012

One-day strike

BC government workers across the province are planning a one-day massive strike on Wednesday, September 5.

Approximately 27,000 members of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), Professional Employees Association (PEA) and Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE) Local 378 who work for the BC government will go on strike in 153 communities and 1,785 government worksites across BC.

“We are striking for a fair and reasonable agreement and to support BCGEU members’ wage proposal, but the government is not listening,” said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president. “We have not taken the decision to strike lightly. Our last strike in direct government was over 20 years ago.”

BCGEU staged several smaller roaming strikes throughout the summer. The job action will affect government liquor stores, courts, corrections, social workers, child protection and ICBC (Insurance Corporation of BC) offices.

Union officials say essential service levels are guaranteed so the health, safety and welfare of British Columbians will not be impacted by the job action.

The strike is the latest move in the ongoing contract dispute between public sector workers and the provincial government and comes in the wake of stalled contract negotiations.

BCGEU has been without a contract since March 31 and is seeking a 3.5 per cent wage increase this year and a cost-of-living increase next year.

The union recently rejected a two-year, 3.5 per cent wage increase proposal made by the government.

Government officials say it’s irresponsible of the union to be demanding wage increases at this time considering the current global economic climate.

Walker said the aim of the strike action was to make the public aware of the work unions do. “We’re trying to show the general public the services we provide,” Walker said. “Most people enjoy our services but probably somewhat take them for granted.”

Walker said government workers have suffered a real wage cut of five per cent since 2010.

Police are investigating a string of break and enters this week in Westview which have left local business owners frustrated and annoyed.

David Morris, executive director of Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities, called the police after he discovered that the front door to the Model Community offices on Marine Avenue had been jimmied open Monday, August 27.

The office was closed on Friday and over the weekend, so Morris isn’t sure exactly when the break and enter occurred, but what he was sure about was what the burglars took.

“They stole a small amount of cash and a laptop,” said Morris, but the worst part of the burglary was “it was the one we use for giving life-skills presentations. It’s quite frustrating because the laptop had all our presentations on it. We’re a not-for-profit organization, so it’s going to be difficult for us to even replace this computer.”

Morris added he would be relieved if he could get the laptop with presentations back undamaged.

“There’d be no questions asked. If we could just get the laptop back we’d be happy.”

When Tony Houle, assistant manager at Rainbow Valley Pet and Farm Supplies, arrived at work on Tuesday morning he couldn’t believe the Manson Street shop had been broken into again. “At least it wasn’t as bad as last time,” he said.

Two weeks ago vandals trashed the shop, dumping liquid on the floor, scattering fertilizer, smashing eggs and slashing bags of expensive pet food, about $3,500 worth.

“They tore open some envelopes looking for money,” Houle said. “But when they didn’t find any, they pulled a small heater off the wall, smashed it and stole some refreshments from our store cooler. Then they found our store’s truck keys and stole some tools from the truck.”

According to Houle, when the burglars finished riffling through his shop they moved next door to the body shop. Smashing windows with a hammer, the burglars then sprayed paint around the shop and riffled through drawers looking for money.

“It’s real annoying,” said Houle. “You know it’s young guys who did this. The unfortunate thing is that they’re probably not even in the system yet so it’s going to be hard to identify them.”

Forensic identification specialists arrived from Comox Tuesday afternoon to examine both crime scenes. Both investigations are continuing and test results are expected within the next week, according Powell River RCMP Sergeant Rod Wiebe.

In the meantime the owners at Rainbow Valley are installing a security system with video cameras.

The RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance. Anyone with information about these cases is asked to please call the detachment at 604.485.6255 or CrimeStoppers at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS).

Catalyst Paper Corporation has announced noteholders have selected a new board of directors in preparation for emerging from creditor protection.

The following individuals will be serving on the board: John Brecker, Giorgio Caputo, John Charles, Kevin Clarke, Todd Dillabough, Walter Jones and Leslie Lederer.

Catalyst filed for creditor protection on January 31 under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and announced a second amended plan of arrangement on June 14. The plan received creditor approval on June 25.

Current chairman Jeffrey Marshall noted that many parties played a vital role in ensuring the plan of arrangement was approved by creditors and sanctioned by the BC courts on June 28.

“Typically, proceedings with companies as large as Catalyst take years, not months, to be completed and this one reached the sanction stage in six months with the company now set to emerge in the very near term,” Marshall said in a statement. “To achieve this result in such a timely fashion would not have been possible without the dedication and unwavering support of employees, unions, management team, customers, suppliers, retirees and pensioners, as well as the communities where Catalyst operations are located.”