News Viewpoint

Bill Question Mark

Bill Vander Zalm’s decisive victory in the Socred lead-
ership race makes the immediate future for British
Columbians an even bigger question mark.

As premier-designate Mr. Vander Zalm is less pre-
dictable than any of the 11 other candidates whom he
trounced. The NDP, labor leaders and teachers will, of
course, make the most of his ‘‘confrontational’’ re-
cord. But some of his famous one-liners of the past —
shovels for welfare recipients and no more French on
cornflake boxes — are a shaky guide to how he'll now
perform in B.C.’s top job. Happy surprises should not
yet be ruled out.

The most interesting factor in the equation is the
unexpected support given to him by his defeated
front-runner rival Bud Smith, the archetypical mid-
dle-of-the-road Tory with strong links to the Ottawa
establishment. Aside from virtually assuring an even-
tual cabinet seat for Mr. Smith, this startiing alliance
brings brains and potitical smarts to the Vander Zalm
team which might do much to refine the new premier’s
ebullient, shoot-from-the-lip image. Also significant in
that context was the post-ballot pledge of support he
won from runner-up Brian Smith, another moderate
Tory with handy eastern connections.

Indeed’ — given his charisma and obvious love of
popularity — Mr. Vander Zalm might even have to be
alert to the trap into which Prime Minister Mulroney
has fallen. Trying to be all things to all people and
loved by everyone will NOT solve B.C.’s many urgent
problems.

One thing only is certain. The months ahead won't
be dull, either!

Nurses’ action
is disruptive

Dear Editor: the best interests of the patient.

Ms. Tammivaara identifies
scheduling as a problem. The
current scheduling provisions
have been in the agreement for
some time and have proved
workable. We believe that it is
in everyone’s best interests to,
at this time, maintain the status
quo.

Turning to the salary issue, it
is true that in the early 1980s,
B.C. led ail other provinces in
the compensation paid to our
nurses. But then the unfortu-
nate economic downturn hit
B.C. Certainly we have dropped
behind four other provinces in
terms of compensation. Other
industries have experienced the
same phenomenon vis-a-vis
wages paid in other parts of
Canada.

But it should be noted that
other industries in B.C. have
experienced massive lay-offs —
employment in nursing has in-
creased by approximately 1,000
positions since 1983.

It is regrettable that, under
the circumstances, the nurses
have chosen to threaten our
health care system with strike
action. Our managers and
trustees willdo everything possi-
ble to ensure that our patients
do not suffer in the face of
what we believe to be un-
necessarily disruptive action on
the part of the Nurses’ Union.
Peter J. McAllister
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Health Labour Relations
Association

of British Columbia

A recent letter published in
several B.C. newspapers sub-
mitted by Shiela Tammivaara
of the B.C. Nurses’ Union
(BCNU) demands response.

At the outset, it should be
made clear that Health Labor
Relations Association has made
an offer to the BCNU Bargain-
ing Committee which we believe
reflects economic reality in this
province. We proposed that the
agreement remain unchanged
with the exception that wage
rates would be moderately in-
creased over a three-year term.

Ms. Tammivaara alludes to
two proposals to which the
employer refused to accede.
The utilization of the grievance
procedure to deal with patient
care problems is a matter that
the Health Labor Relations
Association, acting on behalf of
the industry, will not consider
further.

It is patently ridiculous to put
patient care problems in the
hands of arbitrators who typi-
cally deal with issues of
discipline and contract inter-
pretation. Procedures to deal
with patient care issues are
already in place in our
hospitals; nursing staff, as well
as physicians and administrative
staff, are all involved in
monitoring patient care
dilligently and on a continuing
basis.

To turn such matters over to
outside third parties, who are
nut knowledgeable in patient
care delivery, would not be in

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Motorcycles are marvellous

Dear Editor:

Although | have no argument with your position
on motorcycle helmet laws, your comment that

“Motorcycles have become lethal
bz left unanswered.

It has been difficult enough to impi sve the im-
age of motorcycle riders over the years without
your kind of sensationalist and erroneous comment.

Motorcycles are not lethal rockets. The control

NV DISTRICT

of these wonderfully powerful and manoeuvrable
machines is entirely in one’s right hand, and a rider

rockets’’ cannot tress.

with skill can reach levels of enjoyment generally
thouglit to be limited only to adventures on a mat-

So be kind, editor, give us a break, better yet

hobby.

Baker slighted

Dear Editor:

To follow-up Michael Becker’s
report published on June 20, we
feel that criticism lashed out on

July !4 by Mayor Baker was a

misuse of power.

The public could not effectively
respond in that forum because we
were restricted only to ask ques-
tions for clarification.

Contrary to the mayor's com-
ments, we were neither misinform-

ed nor premature.

There was a public presentation

of the final draft of the Lower

Capilano Neighbourhood Plan by
McLaren Plansearch on June 24,
where Garden Avenue was to
become the through traffic route in
our neighborhood. Many council
members were there.

The mayor must be misinformed
for the protest was not about
widening Garden Avenue, but the

proposed through traffic route.

Our protest was on July 6 and 7.
It is appropriate to protest a pro-
posed plan once a public presenta-
tion of it has been made and be-

fore council has made a decision.

Once a decision is made, it may
be extremely difficult to reverse. In
a democratic country, we do not
need elected officials to dictate to
us when to protest a proposed plan
that could affect our homes.

We agree with M. Anderson’s
concern of wasted taxpayers’
money, published the week of July
6. The $35,000 spent for a plan
that falls short of solutions is of
questionable value for taxpayer
dollars.

Most of the consultant’s rec-
ommendations were either rejected
or put on hold pending future
study. The only major items
adopted were the recommenda-
tions for parks, recreation and
open space — items that are like
recommending motherhood.

On the other hand, our protest
did not consume a tremendous
amount of effort and money to at
least elicit response and action.
Dalia Gottlieb-Tanaka
Garden Avenue Resident
North Vancouver

take a rider training course and join us in this great

Henry J.M. Gerber
North Vancouver

SPCA
thanks

News

Dear Editor:

This is a note of thanks for do-
ing the splendid article on our
North Vancouver Volunteer Pro-
gram, Shelter Dog Walk.

I'd be grateful if you made the
writer aware of our appreciation
too.

The volunteer response was ter-
rific. We had 10 new people join
and many other inquiries about the
work we do, which only can help
us find more adoptive homes for
the homeless and unwanted pets of
our community.

Sylvia Zilla

Executive Assistant

Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals