‘side. of the. ‘slide might be’
‘endangered. by . further
‘rainfall, as engineering
‘exper|s examined the area,

.. For. fire: department, :
police and.“ municipal of-
ficials Monday was a frantic .
May, as roving: ‘crews strove’
16-"deal with overflowing,
-oreéks, « flooded basements:
and mudslides. .

- But by far the most critical’
situation “occurred early
Monday afternoon, when a
‘mudslide on. Riverside Drive

rereading

ANS

By CHRIS LLOYD

A 48-hour warning
by B.C. Rail employees
of their intention to
strike expired at 10

p.m. last night

(Tuesday), bringing an
indefinite closure to the
line which feeds North
Shore industries.

The line has already been
dead for a week through the
unofficial picketing action of
employees said to be from

the Squamish depot but with
deadlock being reached over
a manning issue, the in-
dications are for a prolonged
shutdown,

A council of the seven rail
unions negotiating for a
contract called off talks at 1Q
p.m. Sunday after refusing

‘to accept a clause affecting

the United Transportation
Union which would reduce
the number of trainmen on
each train from three to two
by attrition.

B.C. Rail put an embargo
on freight at = midnight

Sunday, tying up its business

by telling shippers that.

ope crations were ceasing.

The railway closure af-
fects a total, of 2,200
members of seven unions.
Even prior to the strike, 830
workers were idle last week
because of cither layoffs or
honoring picket lines.

The effect on the’ North
Shore was almost im-
mediate, with major
waterfront industries
wondering how long they
would be able to continue

CONTINUED ON PAGE A4

“MOUNTA N OF MUD almost engulfs house on Riverside Drive in North Vancouver, Representatives rom Victoria.
were scheduled to examine the damage late Tuesday. (lan Smith photo)

line stays closed as strike hits

WEDNESDAY:
Cloudy with showers,
some heavy. Highs 9-11C
(48-52F).

‘THURSDAY:
Cloudy with showers,
heavier rain by evening.