- Page 22, ApH “15, 1979 - sity Ne

B. C. C employers
optimistic on.
labor outlook |

The decisions reached by
labor and management this
‘year will largely shape the

pattern and climate for the .

next decade. _ On balance, we
are more optimistic than
pessimistic about the out-
come. So states the Em-
‘ployers’ Council of BC in
their “Collective Bargaining
Environment 1979” study
released last week. .

. This annual publication,
sixty pages in length,
examines a variety of factors
affecting the em-
ployer/employee. relations-

hips and, most. specifically,

’ collective bargaining in the
current year.

“Nineteen seventy-nine is~-
the concluding year of the
most turbulent decdde of
- labor management relations
in Canada and in BC,” noted
council president William
Hamilton. “The seventies
began with increasing
confrontations which rose to
. the point where; by some
measures, Canada led the
' world in manb-days lost
~ ‘because of labor disputes.
Runaway
settlements resulted in the
most massive form of
government intervention —
wage and price controls.

This year will be the first
full year free of controls; it is
the year when we return to

_ “free” collective bargaining.
Labor and management face
strong pressures from ‘he
public who have become
increasingly vocal in at-
tacking the inconvenience of
strikes and disenchanted
with the bargaining process
itself.

“In the unionized
relationship, collective
bargaining is the best

method for determining the
terms and conditions of
employment. But facing
these strong public
pressures, the onus will be
on management and labor to
demonstrate that collective
bargaining is an effective
process which works to the
advantage of all society.”

While the number of
agreements is significantly
lower than we faced in 1978,
100,000 more employces are
covered this year than last.
This is because in 1979 there
are many industry-wide
agreements to be settled.
With the exception of the
construction industry and

inflation and -

the hotel industry, all major
industries have collective
agreements expiring in 1979.

The council report notes |”

that, during the 1970s total

_wage incomes in B.C. have

increased more rapidly than
the rate of inflation. While
real wages, the amount of

increase after subtracting
the rise in inflation, declined .}.

in 1978, they have increased
an average of 1.6% per year
during this decade.
However, ‘there remains
pressure for “catch up”
because of a perception by
some that wages have fallen
behind despite the im-

‘provement in standard of

living for almost every wage-

earner. Such pressures have

dangerous inflationary -
implications. —

Another factor’ in wage
demands is the level of
profits of B.C. companies.
Many companies have
announced increased and, in
some cases, record profits.
These have been incorrectly
attributed, by some, to
controlled wages rather than
to the devalued Canadian
dollar and a cyclical upturn
in some industries. “

““These profits are
necessary for the future
development of our in-
dustries,. “Hamilton _ said.
“They are required to
support capital expenditures
to improve productivity: and
improve out international
competitive position. As an
export oriented province,
the price of our products
must be competitive on the
international market.”

Many firms have already
announced capital ex-
penditure programs to meet
these needs.

The uncertainty about
future inflation continues to
be paramount in many
people’s minds. At the same

time, however. there
remains a desire to contain
inflanon and a recognition of
the need for restraint if we

are to avoid a repeat of the
pre-AIB wage and price
spiral. These two apparently
conflicting positions must be

rationalized during the
coming year.
Recognizing that there

will be confrontations and
man-days lost in 1979, the
report questions how these
should be viewed. “Is there
economic reality? Are joint
endeavours between labor

SEARS

COMMISSION SALESPERSON

The Capilano store requires an experienced
commission salesperson for the carpet depart-
ment. Full range company benefits

Apply in person to

Personnel Department
Simpsons Sears Capilano
943 Marine Drive

North Vancouver, 8 C

Judging by the reports on
winners of the proliferating
government
Canadians are most prudent

_ and cautious.

Every big "winner -an-
nounces his intention to
place his loot in the safest of

possible investments. There

doesn’t seem to’be a reckless

-hedonist around who will

gleefully blow the money on

‘a long binge of fun and

games.

Security, financial
security, is everyone’s goal.

We may gamble, but it’s only . .
the dollar or two laid out for —
the lottery ticket.

There are some excellent

reasons why Canadiansstrive.

for financial security. Too
many have been un-
successful in achieving a
financial structure that
permits them to maintain
personal independence

and. management beginning
to pay off? Is more mutual
understanding developing?

These and many other
qualitative aspects of
labor/management relations
are more difficult to
measure. However,
answers may be infinitely
more important than the
simplistic “man-days” figure

which measure the statistical

impact of
lockouts.

Strikes and

The future development
and training of our work-
force is another aspect
examined by the council.

$30,000 Range

Vancouver

lotteries,

the.

Sutte 1708

throughout their lives. The

fact that 90%-of-our “golden

age” citizens live on less than
$7,000 a year isn’t any more
comforting than the more
dismal knowledge that over
half of the people over 65
years of age exist below the
poverty line.

Lottery tickets are a poor
way of trying to obtain
financial independence. The
odds are too high.

Another, somewhat
uncertain method is outlined
in this anecdote. ;

_A very wealthy man had
three married daughters but
no grandchildren. He invited.
his daughters and sons-in-,
law to Sunday dinner.
When all were seated at the
dinner, he bowed his head to
say Grace.

“Oh, Lord, I give thanks to
you for this fine family you
have given me and I hope
that it may increase. To

Manpower planning is
emerging as one of the major
issues of the 1980s and labor
economists are predicting a
combination of unem-
ployment and skill shortages
by the middle of the next
decade’.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Heavy Equipment Distributor

Tms new and challenging ‘finance and administration position offers an excellent
opportunity to make an important contribution to the effective management of our
client’s well established and expanding British Columbia operations. Location Is

This leadership position requires a management oriented C.A. of C.G.A. with arecord
af puccess in directing the finance and accounting function. developing and elfectwely
maintaining appropriate Management information systems, procedures and controls

To contidently explore this opportunity, please telephone Godtrey Chowne at 689 3491
or send your complete background details to

GODFREY CHOWNE & ASSOCIATES LTD.

ORGANIZATION & PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
, Vancouver. 8 C V6E 2Y3

1030 West Georgia St

Responsible individual

dealership.

Accountant
Office Manager

required for Accountant-
Office Manager for position In heavy duty truck

Exposure to service bureau computers an asset.
Salary betwen $18,000 to $22,000 per annum.

Reply to Box No. 455

clo North Shore News
1139 Lonsdale Ave.
North Vancouver, B.C.

‘No fun, games, bingo
for prudent Canadians

"By FRANK KAPLAN .

prove my sincerity in being
grateful for the blessing of
family life, I have asked my
lawyer to draw up a trust to
provide $200,000 for the
parents of my first grand-
child.” -

He went on for a few more
moments of reverent
thanksgiving and then raised
his head. ooo

The table was deserted.

Record sales of Canada
Savings Bonds indicate most
of us don’t have too much
faith in the chances of
winning a lottery or

‘inheriting a. trust fund.

Canadians: purchased- more
than $7.4 billion of Savings
Bonds in the last campaign
and hold a total of more than
$20 billion which is about
one-third of the total
Federal government debt.

Another major statistic
which illustrates investment
trends

was recently

-“"One of the key
ingredients of a good in-
dustrial relations climate is
an effectively ‘operating
labor market. Problems

occurring on either the
supply or demand side only
to aggravate dif-

serve

Box 456

Manager — Sales Person

Exclusive Ladies’ specialty shop in West Vancouver
requires experienced managers Must be mature and
well groomed individuals with pleasant personality, to
be responsible for all store operations

Reply in own hand writing, Stating qualifications. to
North Shore News

1139 Lonsdale
North Vancouver. B C

published by The Investment
Funds Institute of Canada.
Almost $400 million was
invested in Member- Funds
during 1978 by Canadians...

_ Prudent investment by the.

half million investors who
own the Funds has allowed
the Funds to grow to a total
of $2 billion.

That kind realism about
savings and money is in the
Canadian tradition, possibly
because so large a part of the

’ national memory carries the

burden of the extreme
difficulties encountered in
créating the present stan-
dard of living.

(Frank Kaplan is »
prominent writer on
Canadian business and
finance, in association with
the staff and informatio.
facilities of The Investment
Funds Institute of Canada,
which represents financial
organizations investing more
than $1.85 billion of the
savings of over 500,000
Canadians.)

ficulties, both social and
industrial,” the report states.

; Already, there are several
joint government, labor,
Management groups

studying this problem and it
is expected that this area of
activity . will increase sub-
stantially this year.

' STUART
ANDERSON’S
BLACK ANGUS
RESTAURANT

(Division of Saga Corp.)

Is seeking a restaurant
bookkeeper, with solid
bookkeeping & general
office background.

Must have experience
handling payables & an
ability to analyze& balance
daily cash receipts from
high volume dinner
house :

Must be capable of
assuming responsibility
for the office & related
restaurant duties

Salary & benefits solid in
the industry

Send resume to:

Manager
Stuart Anderson's
Black Angus Reat.

1675 Robson St.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6G 1C8