Rail layoffs LAYOFF NOTICES were issued Friduy to Rail employees. Six people working at the North 25 more BC Ta couver station were among those to be idled during an escalating tabor contract dispute between the company and the Council of Trade Unions (CTU), BC Rail employees at the North Vancouver station laid off so far during the labor dispute number 82 out of a total 166 workers. According to a BC Rail spokesperson, there has been 30% decrease in freight traffic since the CTU issued strike notice on Wednesday, June 16, North Vancouver BC Rail operations were shut down Wednesday for 12 hours when CTU pickets. members raised Passenger service was cancelled. Similar job action on Friday closed Prince George BC Rail operations. The CTU represenfs seven unions and approximately 1,600 workers at BC Rail. BC Rail is a Crown-owned railway based in North Vancouver, The railway unions have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 1992. An overtime ban continues for all unionized BC Rail employees. i : No formal talks planned From page 1 Campbell’s children received a photocopied page from the school principal indicating their grade standing. Her nine-year-old daughter, Hilary, recently wrote the school board to express her dismay over not receiving a report card this year. “I'm not really sure if | pass- ed,”’ Hilary told the News. She said she asked her teacher why there were. no report cards, but was confused by the answer. | “She said something in French about the school ‘board,’’ said Hilary who ‘is attending a French immersion program. The NVTA has been without a contract. since June 30, 1992. A Labor Relations Board mediator spent nine days with the two groups: beginning at the end of May. . He was able to reduce disputed issues from 35 to 15. _ But the NVTA_ rejected the board’s final offer by 91% on Thursday, June 17. The NVTA is in favor of bind- ing arbitration at this stage, but the NVSB has rejected the idea. “The board is not prepared to voluntarily hand over to’ someone who has no responsibility for the budgetary implications the right to make.a decision that is binding,” ' said Brayne. Meanwhile, the approxiniately 600 students who would attend local summer school will be out of luck this year. The NVSB cancelled summer school because of the labor dispute. , “The board thinks there should be fuli service provided for sum- mer school,’’ said Brayre. As part of their job action, teachers are not doing ad- ministrative paperwork. He said teachers earn about $3,000, for teaching 20 days of summer school. Parents pay ap- proximately $140 per child for summer school. Denley said the NVTA would like to negotiate throughout the summer. He said if an acceptable contract is reached, schools will open in the fall. If the NVTA withdraws its ser- vices next school year, the provin- cial government could invoke Bill ‘3E to force teachers back to work and institute. binding arbitration,’ ‘The NVSB has offered no wage increase, saying that raises would result in layoffs. ' The NVTA has not proposed a wage increase. District 44 teachers are currently paid between $30,856 and $66,328 annually without benefits. They currently work 187 days a year, Five/ of those days are. profes- sional, or non-teaching, days. ‘Park Shore Motors Ltd. 1500 FELL ANE., NORTH VAN 985-9344 From page 3 by district. planning and staff on avo recent initiatives: @ the District Walk — which will create an ourban walkway stret- ching from the Capilano water- shed to Deep Cove: © the Street Tree Master Plan — a plan ta enhance district streets and neighborhoods with — street trees through community partner- ships. But it was rising tax bills that triggered several questions about population growth, administration costs, municipal amalgamation and the role of the GVRD. Pat Munroe, president of the newly formed Edgemont Com- munity Association, urged — resi- dents to get involved if they were concerned with muintaining and enhancing the character and livability of Edgemont Village and Upper Capilano. “J was always saying, ‘they hadn't done this’ and ‘they hadi't done that,’ until one day 1 said it near a mirror,’’ said Munroe. Urging a pro-active approach to planning and noting that the area’s community plan is not scheduled until, 1996, Munroe argued that Upper Canilano would be best served if its residents told planning staff what it wanted rather than going to the table empty-handed. John Grossholz asked council to consider the lack of empty-nest or senior accommodation in the district. “By the time we reach a certain age we have to leave the district and commute to see our grand- children,” said Grossholz. He suggested the district Icase more land for seniors’ rental hous- ing. Grossholz was also one of the speakers to suggest amalgamation of the three North Shore municipalities as a solution to municipal expenses. “Why is there such a resistance parks to merging the city, district (of ’ North Vancouver) and West Van- couver into one municipality? Consolidate, downsize, get rid of duplication and waste is what to- day's business is saying,’’ Grossholz said. At Grossholz’ urging, Dykeman asked audience members to in- dicate their preference for amalgamation. Only six opposed the idea. Dykeman said he also supported the idea of amalgamation. But he said North Vancouver City did not wish to discuss the issue, Coun. Paul Turner later com- mented, ‘‘Marriage sounds like a great idea but it requires consent. Sunday, June 27, 1993 - North Shore News - esidents blast cost of gov't West Vancouver consider themselves a distinct society so we are down to one possible partner. Area resident Corrie Kost ques- tioned the increasing proportion of municipal taxes being channel- Jed to the GVRD and asked about the public accountability of the regional body. “The vast majority of the public says let's not have any log- ging in the watershed, then their experts over-ride ous democratic rights.”" Coun. Ernie Crist later echoed some of Kost’s concerns, “When. the squirrels were in charge of the forests there was no problem with the water,’ said Crist. ‘*When you have 18 municipalities who share a com- mon fate there must be co-opera- tion.’” YOUR CHILD CAN BECOME A BETTER LEARNER MEDIATED LEARNING ~- SUMMER PROGRAMME | Courses for Parents & Chifdren 6-18 yrs: July 5-July 30,1993 H Mon, through Fri, 9 a.n.-12 p. 1. The Variety Learning / Centre H Vancouver Technical Secondary . School | Broadway& Nanalmo / For more information call 255-6596 | * Financial assistance available Turner warned the meeting ‘of GVRD tax bills that could add another $500 to local tax bills for sewerage and water utilities and waste disposal. “It goes on for years, said. “You can ask any mayor if it’s a good deal for the North Shore. | doubt you will find one that say's yes. “You are paying the not-pay- ing-attention-tax, Jf you want to pay attention to them (the GVRD) you can lower your taxes in November.” ** Turner [ARE INTEREST RATES | AFFECTING YOUR INCOME? Are you tired af being taxed on your income? You are invited to a FREE LUNCHEON which will address these concerns. Limited seating. R.SM.P. only. DATE: Tues., June 29/93 11:00 a.m. sharp WA. Seniors Activity Centre To R.SM.P. call: Mr. Wayne Steeds or Neil Melver at 682-5431 exclusive quality installations by appointment only Call NORTHERN ALARM SYSTEMS LTD. 983- 2255 : SERVICE @ NEW DENTURES i COMFORTABLE SOFT LIVERS. 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