i 86° CASTLEGAR NEWS, February 23, 1981 WAGE RESTRAINTS IMPOSED Bennett crac BURNABY (CP) — mier Bill Bennett told ee ers in. the public sector Thursday night to tighten their belts and expect wage restraints to help strengthen the B.C. economy. ‘Appealing to British Col- umbians to help him fight in- flation and high interest rates, the premier introduced plans to limit wage increases in the public sector to about 10 per cent and spending to 12 per cent a year for the next two years. The which take the B.C. Federation of Labor. Bennett, whose govern- ment recently introduced a wide variety of fee increases to make up for revenue short- falls because of slumping for- est products markets, got B.C. into its current economic mess and now he wants the people to bail him out, Kin- naird said. The B.C. move to become the only province with wage guidelines followed‘ a sug- gestion by Prime Minister Trudeau at the Fecent fed- effect immediately, affect municipal and local govern- ments, school boards, hos- pitals and provincial gov- ernment operations. Provincial government spending is currently 17 per cent higher that the previous fiscal year but Bennett wants the restraints to cool inflation and hlep the economy by easing government revenue requirements, ~ “We'll give him.a confron- tation on this one,” promised Jim Kinnaird, president of con- ference that the provinces show spending restraints with wage limits on the public sector. * In his regionally televised speech Thursday night, Ben- nett said British Columbians are “frustrated by the ab- | sence of national leadership.” At the Ottawa HIGHLIGHTS . BURNABY (CP) : —: Highlights of; Premier. Bal Bennett's economic package outlined Thursday night: © Guidelines will limit. wage increases in the public sector for two years. The limit will be 10 per cent, plus or minus two per ont to’ take into, account skill shortages, . past productivity. institutions, workers, and ah “adltonal two per cent to reward « A two-year public sector spending limit of 12 per cent will be introduced at the next sitting of the legislature which will apply to the public sector’ which includes all ' levels of government in B.C., Crown hospitals, school boards and post-secondary educational Ed Peck, vice-chairman of the B.C. Labor Relations! Board who will oversee the program, will have power to roll back excessive wage settlements, . will be di with other tions; oped in the next two years to limit ‘the size officials at the next sitting e A freeze is e Legislation will deal with wage guidelines for “elected A imposed immediately on salaries of all senior executives of Crown of the public sector, of the legislature. ele Union and the 50,000- budget’ went to pay: for\'ex- member B.C, "Employees Union, BCTV, Bennett sald the gov- ernment will introduce a compensation stabilization program to. establish the wage guidelines, He said the guidelines will be set at 10 per cent for the first year, plus or minus two per cent to allow for past ‘skill “cn his 16-minute speech on. pensea i din his role as cipal: managers: and © ‘sonior | public servants, Bennett’ said’ these. groups will face more strict guidelines and, pending completion of a report on the positions, all salaries will be frozen, LIMIT INCREASES, Bennett also wants mem- bers of the legislature to limit ar: salary (i and sald will be introd hairnian’ of, the p during natituticnal negotl- Bennett said. he “hopes public sector employee will go along. with the restraints. “They realize they have'to help fight inflation,” he said. He said he feels most peo- ple will think the restraints 2 fair. 5 Bennett also” promised x “In Castlegar. provided court Feb. 16 William Arndt’ ” was’ given: a ‘conditional: dis- ' (charge and placed ‘on: three months’. probation after pleading guilty to.to causing mischief to private property. 2 . er Allan Rekin was fined $250 for driving without, insur- ance. * . s A-fine of $250. or 80 days «was handed: down to David Welch for causing mischief to. rivate and. with other workers. An addi- tional two per cent will be available to reward produc- tivity increases. In the second year there will be an inflation protection factor based on the 1982 inflation rate and cost-of-liv- ing increases. Arbitrator Ed Peck has d Bennett was the only pre- mier to tentatively endorse Trudeau's suggestion for re- _straints which now will affect wage negotiations for the 25, 000-member Hospital Em- bli school and senior vants pending the ofa report among these :@ Policies will be announced in the next’ two weeks to ensure that B.C homeowners | will ' not Pay. high. tax [ inereases, forecast: by ansossmett ‘Rotices. of the compensation stabili-. zation program and will have ‘ceasive increases, Bennett” said. Also: included in the’ re- “straints package ae be. se. Labor, rejects wage entrails - BURNABY (CP) — Critics told Premier Bill Bennett to practise what he preached “Thursday following the pre- Kuehn painted a grim pic- ture of special services being cut and 4,700 teaching posi- tions being lost. He said can'tist mier's pi of an economic package to fight in- flation. In .a 16-minute speech broadcast on regional tele- vision, Bennett ‘outlines a program that included: wage guidelines for the public sec- tor and a 12-per-cent ceiling on public sector spending. The wage guidelines limit increases to 10 per cent but provide for an additional two per cent for productivity. in- creases and a further two per cent to take into account special...skills..and historical, relationship he workers. |" Opposition Leader Dave Barrett, who followed Ben- | nett in the prime-time broad- under Bennett's conditions, Not all the reaction was negative. Economist Michael Walker of the Fraser Insti- _tute, an economic research “group, said the spending re- straints were “just what the doctor ordered,” but the prescription might not be strong enough, Walker said the B.C. infla- tion rate decreased in Nove- imber and December and he -predicted it would be about 10 per cent for 1982, leaving . the., public, .sector., with. ced share of more. than, ii ddegui the economic 'p’ Bil Hamilton of the Em- (ployers. Council of B.C, also d the He cast, said the premier’s com- ments were unclear, _ disap- said the remier “bad great political courage,” adding that pointing and hy “There has “been no re- straint shown by the: gov- ernment itself and in par- ticular the premier's office,"- said Barrett. “Everybody wants restraint, but’ they want some example in lead- ership. Barrett said Bennett could not have picked a worse'tim toask for restraint in view of published reports on over- spending in his office. . Labor spokesman Jim Kin- naird angrily denounced Ben- nett’s package, saying the premier was inviting confron- tation with ‘the labor move- ment. - “To hell with him, as far as T'm concerned,” said the B.C. Federation of Labor presi- dent. Jack Gerow, business man-- ager for the Hospital employ- ees Union, suggested a one- day. general strike of all public sector employees would be an appropriate res-* ponse. - ‘Gerow. said Bennett was punishing public sector work- ers for the government's in- ‘ability to deal with the real economic problems. He vowed the guidelines would have no effect on current: contract negotiations for the’ union’s 25,000 members. Larry Kuehn of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation called Bennett's program “a meat- cleaver approach to economic salvation that will gut the school system.” Police Briefs Police are seeking the as- sistance of anyone witnessing an incident about 1 a.m. Fri- day when the front. plate glass window of the Hi Lite Restaurant on Columbia Ave. was broken, Damage and replacement costs have been estimated at $200. wary of imposing unpopular measures. Hamilton disagreed . with Barrett's assessment that Bennett's proposals lacked clarity. “I don’t think there is any vagueness whatsoever in -..thé area of public’ sector ‘expenditure or wage nego- tiations in the public secter.” OPPOSE PACKAGE, Brian Westwood, leader of the provincial Conservatives, _and Liberal Leader Shirley McLoughlin both opposed the package. Neither party holds seats in the legislature. ‘Westwood said the govern- ment has created the current situation and is unwilling to set an example of restraint for the rest of the province. The B.C. Government Em- ployees Union declined to comment, but not because its - leaders aren't worried. | “We've decided that the premier’s message is clearly directed at our union and the negotiations coming up,” g have been | difficult. John Fryer, union general’ secretary, said when con- tacted late Thursday at his Ottawa residence. ““We believe the impli- cations are so great that we :won't comment now but will hold a special meeting ‘next week to discuss our position.” The union ‘leadership: is 85,000-member tional average of a7 per. cent. John Helliwell; University. of B.C. revenue stabilizing fund dur-" ing the ‘Good years to cover and Richard McAlary, B.C. Central Credit Union chief economist, said unemploy- ment in B.C. could increase if capital projects are cancélled because - of. Bennett's prop- - osed measures. under heavy pressure to win . big wage increases for its Both men said it is difficult to analyse Bennett's . prop- unit, which received an eight- per-cent wage hike in each of the last three, years. ‘Last month Fryer said the union wouldn't stand’ for wage controls because its members lost 12.5 per cent in real.wagea.ayer, the, current t the Registered Nurses Asso- elation of B.C., said the cost- cutting measures will make the delivery. of health care In addition, restraints in the.education field will mean it will turn out fewer nurses. which are currently in short supply. * Dr. Hugh McDonald, presi- dent of the B.C. Health Association, which repre- sents acute care } osed © gr restraints ee specifics are MeAlary” said that itnes government ; ‘wage expendi- tures — incl the drops in during an economic slump. Call girl ring exposed VANCOUVER (CP) — City police believe they have ¢broken..a high-class. prosti- of doctors, nurses ‘and’ tea- chers:— account for a ‘sub-:. stantial percentage, of.; imiting “End apartments. Thureday + ernment; spending, limit capital project, cancellations. tution ring -a six- week investigation which cul- “minated in raids on five West + vice ‘squad. said the call girl service operated under the the. power to roll “back ex: . at the next sitting, Opposition Leader. Dave, Barrett .said “if . Bennett wants to use his performance. tonight as the basis for an election I would welcome it.” He said.Bennett could not have picked a worse psycho- logical time to ask for res-- traint, in light of. published reports about overspending in'his own office. However, the premier. said at: a-later news conference that his is the most.frugal . Premier's office ‘fn. Canada on a "per-capita, basis, ’ and’ his. from what’ P! ‘of $25 is to be paid.* he called horrendous, prop- erty tax increases and saidan announcement would be . made within two weeks. He also said an agreement. will be sought with Ottawa to stimulate ‘job creation... ; ‘The market creates’ re- straint in the private sector, he said, and it is up to gov- ernment. to control" public sector expenditures. He said the $126-million sports stadium and related housing and commercial de- velopment will give money to the People. ree * * . $ Supplying liquor toa minor brought a $76 fine to Patrick Grant. ae . Robert, Keiver. was fined $75 or 30 days after pleading guilty’ to several counts of theft by fraudulently using a telecommunication facility and defrauding — B.C.- Telephone of money: Paiesision if ‘daen prop- erty brought a $800 fine or $0" “days to Ivan Stoochnoff. ' ‘One Application -..and You're Covered. | FOR: Special Purchaies: : Credit Card'Payments Overdraft Protection LINE OF CREDIT OTTAWA (cP The an-- nual éost_ of living dropped ° forthe third ‘consecutive month in January but. oppo- sition. politicians brushed off the ’11.4-per-cent rate as a meeren said it may show ‘some light at'the end of thi Other higher costs singled ji SO THAT S: WHY YOU'RE. 90 GROWN temporary dip achieved ‘on ‘tunney. He predicts further out: were: for ‘housing, ‘sir On Your Chequing Account Pay Interest Only on What You Use. esd Savings rca New euven WANETA PLAZA Credit Union, ‘Tt was pleased to s0¢ guise of a modelling agency, Bennett taking measures to- control’ expenditures, but if _ he starts cancelling projects, it will add to the unem- ployment situation,” said Mc- Helliwell sald, “When US. housing starts are down and the B.C. forest industry is in a slump, cutting spending on schools, roads, etc., could said he is. concerned the spending ceilings will reduce hospital services. He said that in times of economic recession individu- als have greater need: of hospital and medical services because of the increased psy- mistake as far as I'm con- chological and physical stress placed on them. McDonald said 80 per cent. of hospital costs go to salaries and he hoped the new policy will not lead to staff reduc- tions which would compound unemployment and a short- 3 ¢Hige of health care profes- The unemployment rate in B.C. is 8.2 per cent which is ‘below the last reported. na: ot ne well end up unemployment, - “If the premier means to cut expenditures to match falling provincial revenues, with a balanced budget in~ mind, that will worsen and not improve the economy — a cerhed. “And in this speech, there certainly has been no hint to change the past strategy of making expenditures match ‘ revenues. But wo re: won't know what the strat say at ‘be until’ they intro- thechudget.”, Bs { Belliwell :gatd:the govern- ment, if determined to main- a balanced budget, "REALTY WORLD. ] Castle Realty 7 d. 365-3336 1444 Columbia Ave., Castlegar [HOME BUYERS AND | INVESTORS IT’S A BUYERS MARKET! | ‘shfuld have built up a huge Offer expires Feb. 26, 1982 ave now “on YOUR NEW AITCHEN 15% Factory Rebate © Kitchen Cabinets * Vanities * Custom Made China Cabinets “Bring in your plan or call us for.an in-home estimate” Final Touch Accessories Ltd. 701 Front St., Nelson Offer Expires Feb, 28, 1982 Phone 352-6313 HOW? By purchasing your home or investment now rather than. waiting for interest. rates:to come down, because if they do, the prices.” ; will Lge Back Up: SAVE THOUSANDS OF$ $ $ $ Here are some examples of FANTASTIC SAVINGS. just in the last couple of months. “Location 1osrd5t., Blueberry bh As te Castlegor Salmo Sth Ave., Castlegar Average Savings BUT REMEMBER! DO NOT WAIT!. and SAVE ! “CALL OuR OFFICE TODAY! For an: appointment ‘to discuss some of our over 100 listings, and we will show you numerous outstanding investments in homes, “rental properties or investment properties. We may even be able to help you with the financing. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TODAY'S MARKET the backs of thousands of un-- employed ‘workers and bank- yusins \O88e8, |. The annual rate was down from 12.1 percent in Decem- ‘- ber and 12.2 per cent in cause of ‘higher. But the annual ination Fate): declined. declines in coming months. fares, bus or subway: fares in Both Wilson and Riis sald. ‘some cities and beer in Oa- ‘ithe’ reduction is temporary’ tario. ‘on fixed incomes, such as the mostly.“ beca' November, Btatistics Canada ed sald: Friday. It was the lowest: auual rate for any month in the last | year, dipping close to 11,2 °F ‘dropped for four consecutive '; ciuded ms a meeting among representatives of the force anda committee of, security. manded the: ‘withdrawal of armed: :elements from the streets “and ’‘co-ordination committees have been set up tosee the measure is applied, the radio said. >: The situation was tense Saturday morning with spor- closed and people were fight- ‘ing’ ‘to buy: bread from two bakers who braved the bom- bardment: to stay. open, ‘re- said. ‘creases later in the; ‘and contains no good news’. Dampening: the increases for the‘ unemployed or, those. were lower costs for clothing, ‘of seasonal elderly, because’ food and:: sales;’and Tednced rates for energy prices are: rising. :°:) package holiday trips.’ Some ‘ood ‘prices, .which had “new car ‘prices ‘also dropped’ because of rebates. months, rose by one per cent early January. The agency \per’ cent. in, Saskatoon, ‘ to said The “used husband”. and his‘ wife ‘received so many calls Tuesday that He took his . phone ‘off. the hook for nine hours, he‘told a Times Rec- ord: reporter. ~ phone were ful. The phone was busy. 2 Truck - firm lays. off 320 KELOWNA (CP) — W. ern Star Trucks Inc. il close its plant here March 22 le a ‘since the state. was founded d | rais- a defeated in parliament last .month over: its severe economic © austerity. “prop- osals. 3 re generally . rogardsd a= the voice of the middle class and u ing taxes and cutting welfare | ‘benefits to trim the republic's * $15 billion foreign debt.. Many new, taxes would have . His party, Fine Gael, is ‘affected consumers directly, adding to the cost of a pint of ale’ and’ a baby’s . shoes. hev' ‘8 party prop in and is banking taxes, and promised to create moro Jobs. desia: But there was'no im- watt atone temo ‘at when some 5,000 supporters ' of Mugabe's: Zimbabwe Afri- can‘National Union marched calleaguiss 3 were fired after being linked: to. an alleged ‘plot to ‘over-*: throw’ the: 22-month -govern- ment,.. Mugabe. sald’. Wed- nesday. Nkomo has denied the: charge, claiming instead that Mugabe got rid of them. to pave the .way for his avowed. aim. of declaring & one-party state... Mugabe and -Nkomo led separate guerrilla armies in the war that ended’ white-. minority rule in Rhodesia and “*T made my wilé got off the fi dickerin, -high enough,” the Lbitoee husband’ said, be identified. “I feed her and. give her 4 home. 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