Wednesday, December 9, 1992 @ irits, Socreds fig t Bi claiming it is undemocratic @ Opposition parties demanding changes to British Columbia’s proposed Labor Relations Code Scott David Harrison EDITOR B.C.’s opposition parties are stepping up their fight against the province’s new labor code. The Liberals and Socreds both issued news releases, de- nies are given only two options — accept union demands or close down during labor disputes. “It’s a pretty big concern for us,” Farrell- Collins said. “There must be a guarantee of essential services in some sectors and there’s not.” Farrell-Collins said school teachers must be involved in any essential services clause. He pointed to the recently-settled Langara College strike nouncing Bill 84 ‘In the end, the government will probably as an example of how § stu- dents can be Liberal La- get its own way, but it won’t be for a lack of held ransom to bor Critic Gary Farrell-Collins called the pro- posed Labor Relations Code “a Draconian trying. Unfortunately, the NDP has its members on very tight leashes and we’ll all pay for it.” —Liberal Gary Farrell-Collins ber labeled the labor disputes. Meanwhile, Socred leader Jack Weisger- new labor code piece of legisla- tion.” The Liberals are pushing for changes to Bill 84, calling it undemocratic in its present form. The Liberals claim that businesses will be helpless should the province introduce the bill, saying any provision that allows sec- ondary boycotts will forever harm labor rela- tions. “We have to get the government to see that there are problems with the bill,” Farrell- Collins said. Farrell-Collins said the Liberals will intro- duce their own amendments to the bill, chang- ing the secondary boycott clause which re- stricts employers from doing business with non-union companies during disputes. Farrell-Collins also disputed the Bill 84 clause which prohibits replacement workers. The Liberals claim that an employers’ hands are tied with this clause, stating that compa- “a shameless political payoff to the union brass.” Weisgerber outlined 10 items that a Socred government would change if it were in power — many of which echoed Liberal cries. Weisgerber is calling for reinstitution of se- cret ballot union certification votes and the restoration of government supervised strike votes. Farrell-Collins said opposition party changes will likely be ignored by the NDP ma- jority, but added that the Liberals must speak up. “I don’t know what will happen, but I wouldn’t say we're fighting a losing battle,” the Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA said. “In the end, the government will probably get its own way, but it won't be for a lack of try- ing. Unfortunately, the NDP has its members on very tight leashes and we'll all pay for it.” Le AN NOUN cC GRA in G 14993 3 NX TT S&S Grants from $100 to $15,000 are available for non-profit groups who wish to undertake a project that promotes forestry awareness in British Columbia. For more information or an application, please contact any B.C. Ministry of Forests, Forestry Canada or government agents’ office or write: Green Gold Grants Program, 910 Government St., P.O. Box 40047, Victoria, B.C. V8W 3N3. Applications must be received no later than January 31, 1993. Canada - British Columbia Partnership Agreement on Forest Resource Development: FRDA II Canada BCAA T Castlegar Savings Credit Union is able to assist you with getting the best return for your investment dollars. For more details, contact either location of CASTLEGAR SAVINGS CREDIT UNION "Your Community Financial Centre” 601-18th St. cs 3026 Hwy. 6 NOW STRIPPING 365-7232 226-7212 1973-78 CHEV IMPALA'S 2 & 4 doors 1979 CHEV IMPALA 4 door 1980 CHEV IMPALA 4 door 1981 CHEV IMPALA 4 door Western Auto Wreckers Granite Road, Nelson Ph. 354-4802 SAT., DEG. 12th & SUN., DEG. 13th! While Quantities Last! Discount given at point of sale. FBC cards will not be redeemed for this event. 310 Columbia Ave. Phone 365-3255 Saturday — 9:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday — 9:30-5:00 p.m. @ Wednesday, December 9, 1992 AroundTOWN Our person for Our People Corinne Jackson 365-7266 HOLIDAY SHOPPING Have you ever been told that the nicest gift one could recieve is something hand made? Nelson Civic Theatre's annual Christmas craft fair is bigger and better than last year. What was once a one weekend event is now two, with different local artists selling their wares each of the two weekends. A $1 admission charge will get you into the fair to enjoy local entertainment and do your holiday shopping. FOOD FOR __ THOUGHT Selkirk College’s cooking students are happy to announce the opening of the Rosemont Room — a fully- licensed dining facility. Gourmet meals are prepared by the |. students ; Wednesday through Friday until Dec. 17. Seating begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 352-6601. DINNER DELIGHT A fantastic Christmas dinner has been organized for seniors. The meal is set to be served at 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Seniors Hall. OurPEOPLE Love Me Tender @ Caring community paves the way for Tender Care Variety Centre Scott David Harrison EDITOR After years of rolling pennies, counting her blessings and pleading with a community to put its best feet forward, Katrine Conroy saw her dream come true. Before a packed house Saturday, the executive director of the Kootenay Columbia Child Care Society introduced Castlegar to its latest act of kindness — the Tender Care Variety Centre. “We couldn’t have done it without you and for that we thank you,” Conroy told an overflow crowd during grand opening celebrations to the Tender Care Variety Centre. “The support from the community has been overwhelming. Thank you.” Overwhelming, indeed. The Tender Care Variety Centre is truly a grassroots project, made possible by the generosity of a community and the relentless efforts of the KCCCS staff. Led by Conroy, the KCCCS managed to twist arms and bend ears, raising some $350,000 for a facility that will house generations of Castlegar children to come. The bulk of funding came from the Variety Club, which has contributed some $106,000 to go toward the purchase of the one-time church. Pencil in contributions from local residents, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, the B.C. Lotteries Commission the Vancouver and. Weston Foundations and a puzzle known as the Tender Care \ News photos by Scott David Harrison Scissors in hand, MLA Ed Conroy, Nelson-Creston MLA assistant Keith Simmonds and Variety Club Ambassador-At-Large Dal Richards cut the ribbon to announce the arrival of the Tender Care Variety Centre. Variety was almost complete. All it took were material and labor contributions from area businesses and community groups. No group was overlooked Saturday as Conroy stood before an appreciative crowd, extending her gratitude to a community that cared. The Castlegar-based effort didn’t go unnoticed by Kootenay West-Revelstoke MP Lyle Kristiansen. “If it’s true that a society is judged by the way it looks after its children,” Kristiansen said, “then Castlegar and the West Kootenay are being served well with the society.” Councillor Doreen Smecher echoed Kristiansen’s comments. A former volunteer at KCCCS’s Hobbit Hill Children’s Centre, Smecher said she got her fair share of hugs from children while donating her time. She said those memories will live on with the completion of the Tender Care Variety Centre. “The effort, energy and work that went into this place deserve the special applause of this community.” Selkirk College’s Poal Henriksen turned the tables on the society. A KCCCS board member, Henriksen thanked the society for enriching the lives of his two daughters, both of whom attended Hobbit Hill. “It is truly heartwarming to come here during the day to see the smile on the kids faces and the way the society operates,” he said. “The dividend of this investment will surpass a lifetime,” Henriksen said. “It is a sound investment. (I know,) I’m an accountant.” Rossland-Trail MLA Ed Conroy applauded the efforts of the society and the community that made the Tender Care Variety Centre possible. “I started with this right from the beginning and I’m pleased to see it through to the end... well not the end, just a new beginning.” Castlegar’s Brooke Da Costa took time Saturday to take a sip from her bottle Ronald McDonald was a popular figure at the Tender Care of juice. The cute toddler was just one of many on hand during the opening Variety Centre Saturday, entertaining the children with hilarious hijinks. ceremonies of the new variety centre.