8 - Friday, September 27, 1991 - North Shore News MAILBOX Labor’s needs are the same Dear Editor: Mr. Brian Swarbrick states, “Unionism was great stuff to get the children out of the mines back in the 1800s, but on the whole a suspect activity to my mind at the close of the 1900s,’’ (NSN, Sun- day, Sept. 15). As a union activist | have many times encountered that sentiment couched in the same dates. Yes, workers are facing different prob- Jems in industry today, but human nature has not changed. A unionized Ford Motor Com- pany plant would not employ 16- year-old boys at 45 cents an hour and let them work unattended with training described as ‘‘not extensive.” But a Vancouver Sun article (Monday, Sept. 16, 1991) “Deaths raise disturbing ques- tions’’ reports the death of i6- year-old Julio Macias, on a con- veyor belt in a Ford Motor Com- pany plant in the Mexican ma- quiladora, working alone in an area of the plant — total experi- ence, five days. The more the industrial revolu- tion changes, the more fabor’s needs remain the same. Mr. Swarbrick also whines on behalf of shopkeepers for whom he holds no brief except as a trig- ger for anti-union sentimentality. Unions would far rather picket only the employer if only because ADVERTISING CORRECTION MANUFACTURERS’ SPECIAL OFFERS #2 Page 11 — Items K/L — Prices on tterms K and L have been transposed. Should read: K — Remote-control cars 9.99 L — Rapid Control Cars 4.99. inadvertently, the error listed above has appeared in our adver- tising. We sincerely regret any in- convenience or confusion to our customers. EATON'S Goods Satisfactory or Money Refunded Mercedes-Benz BMW Porsche Toyota Acura Honda The desirable trades are found at: Mercedes-Benz See this issueof Automotive Classified 1375 Marine Dr. North Van 984-9351 it reduces drastically the number of pickets needed. Given the ruling of the govern- ment’s own Public Service Staff Relations Board that the Govern- ment was bargaining in bad faith, i.e. provoked the PSAC confron- tation, is Mr. Swarbrick prepared to squander some of his blame upon ‘‘management’’ as well as upon PSAC? Does Mr. Swarbrick believe that union negotiations have absolutely no effect upon the sort of recompense he negotiates for himself? Does he believe that B.C.’s princely minimum wage ($5 per hour) arose independently of union — or his — wages? Does he believe that the Ford Motor Company, or any other, will bend over backwards to make a plant death-proof? Does he believe that any worker can take the Workers’ Compensation Board to the Supreme Court of Canada? Docs he believe that when for example the Plumbers Union takes the WCB to the Supreme Court of Canada that only union plumbers, or even that only plumbers benefit? Finally, perhaps Mr. Swarbrick should join his talents with that of another former Guild member (and managing editor of Mcleans Magazine) and author of Strike! and seek a non-confronta- tional method of resolving indus- trial disputes. The thesis of Strike! is that in Canada, with its respected judi- ciary, enough people can be found to provide resolution to all disputes, without strikes, that are fair and can be seen to be fair. My experience suggests that such a process begin with laws that are fair and are seen to be fair! Fred McCormack North Vancouver RE STORAGE SPACE? LET NORTH VANCOUVER -LOK MINE-STORAGE LTD. HELP WE OFFER: ~~ LOW RATES — GREAT LOCATION — ELECTRONIC GATE ACCESS — VIDEO SURVEILLANCE oo — RESIDENT MANAGERS FALL SPECIAL ON NOW. 10% OFF SELECTED SIZES WITH THIS AD. Offer subject. to availability. New rentals only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts. Expires Nov. 3/91. on, FREE DOOR PRIZE DRAW OPEN HOUSE SAT., SEPT. 28/91 NOON - 4 PM. Visit the North Shore's ecologically friendkest mini storage today. 219 MACKAY ROAD, NORTH VAN * V7P 3NG (Behind Capliano Mall) 988-4689 An Open Letter to All Canadians. My fellow Canadians: Tuesday, September 24, 1991 Today in the House of Commons, the Frime Minister is putting forward proposals to renew the Canadian federation. The proposals are not fixed or final. They are a basis for discussion. Canadians are encouraged to debate them vigorously and openly and suggest how they can be improved so that every Canadian can feel welcome, understood and respected in our own land. A Special Joint Committee of the House of Commons and Senate will! seek the views of Canadians on these proposals. Please participate actively in the Committee's work. It's an opportunity to forge the kind of Canada that can best serve the interests of Canadians now and in the future. The process of renewing the Canadian partnership will not be easy. Canada was born and built because previous generations understcod that unity is the key to prosperity and that the keys to unity are tolerance, compromise and goodwill. In difficult times, these characteristics are often in short supply but that is when we need them most. SC Canadians have the opportunity as never before to create a Canada in which ail Canadians can feel at home. Together, we have the opportunity to strengthen this country to make it more prosperous and more responsive to the aspirations of all its people. T urge you to take part in renewing Canada. It's our country that's at stake. The Right Honourable Joe Clark, President of the Privy Council and Minister Responsible for Constitutional Affairs. Canada