Pr Wednesday, January 27, 1993 ™@ Celgar downplays gas scare Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER Celgar is calling a recent gas-out “an overly cautious alarm.” Mill manager Jim Browne said a gas-out Thursday at the expansion site “was net an in- cident or event or anything.” But an inter-office memo from a contractor to officials in charge of the construction project claims otherwise. The memo states, “even though (the work- ers) immediately used their escape respirators, they had already inhaled considerable sulfur dioxide to the extent they couldn't breathe. This release was so ‘quick’ that the workers were very lucky to manage their escape.” The memo also criticized Celgar’s safety pro- cedures. “There was no prior warning given to any construction workers that the compressors would be starting, nor was there any Celgar personnel present to monitor the situation,” the memo states. Browne said the gas-out occurred at an iso- lated area of the mill and that the gas was not sulfur dioxide. He dismissed the memo’s clai that workers had not been given advance warn- ing. Browne said a fan-out-and-call-out safety system was indeed activated. “Anytime we do something in the plant that may involve the release of gases we inform them by radio and through a chain (of commu- nication),” Browne said. According to Browne the memo is nothing more than what he called an “ACM” or an “Ass Covering Memo.” “Everybody points at somebody else,” he said. “But it appears everybody did their job.” Browne said the safety procedure is a two- step process, with warnings being issued when gases could be released and only clearing the site when gases are actually detected. “Activities are going on 24 hours a day. We don’t clear (the site) on a warning, only on emis- sion,” he said. “The system has been in place for two years and is quite successful. Westar heads to court on five charges NEWS STAFF Westar Timber Ltd. was scheduled to face pollution charges in court today. The company has been charged with three violations of the province’s Waste Man- agement Act and two under the Federal Fisheries Act. The charges were laid following an investigation into a diesel fu- el spill into the water and onto the bank of Lower Arrow Lake from March 16 to March 19. Under the provincial act, the maximum for introducing waste is $1 million, and $200,000 for the other two Castleview Care Centre not dreading BCNU visit Corinne Jackson NEWS REPORTER A potential nursing strike is not causing any concern at the Castleview Care Centre. Administrator Toby Egeland says he was surprised to hear a B.C. Nurses Union representative is going to meet with the cen- tre’s employees, but he’s not concerned. “It was totally news to me,” he said, adding that the centre could manage in a strike situation. “I’m certainly not losing sleep over it.” Egeland’s comments follow last week’s statement by a BCNU negotiator that a deadlock in talks may result in a strike vote. “The care would be just as good as before... In fact, in a strike situation the care (often) goes up,” Egeland said. The centre’s one full-time, three part-time and seven casual ‘ employees have been without a contract since March 31, 1992. Issues being discussed include wages, benefits and changes to the health and welfare plan. Owned by Vancouver’s Chantelle Management Ltd., the cen- tre is being represented in negotiations by the Continuing Care Employee Relations Association. CCERA is currently negotiating with the BCNU at 41 other long-term facilities. Clark takes budget to Nelson NEWS STAFF West Kootenay residents are being asked to throw in their two-cents for the provincial budget. Finance Minister Glen Clark is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting in Nelson next week to discuss the government's bud- get with area residents. It’s part of a province-wide tour to col- lect grassroots feedback on the budget before it is submitted. The meeting is at Ni ’s Capitol Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The tion will include a question and answer period. Nelson marks the first stop on Clark’s tour. There's something for everyone! 365-7266 charges. Under the federal act, $300,000 is the maximum penalty. Due to deadline, The News was unable to report the out- come of Wednesday’s sched- uled hearing in Castlegar provincial court. What do you do when you run out of room? You move ... so we did!!! As of February 1, our new location is 2305-6th Avenue, Castlegar, B.C. V1iN 1W9 (One block from Arrow Building Supply) Phone and fax number stay the same... ENGRAVING (604) 365-8289 sentence Nick and Kevin Chernoff really know their lubricants! Trowelex Equipment Rentals is your new Petro-Canada authorized lubricant distributor in Castlegar. Nick and Kevin Chernoff of Trowelex Equipment Rentals are the newest members of the Petro-Canada lubricants team. No matter what your lubricant needs, they can provide the finest quality products, in the most convenient package sizes, at the right price. Petro-Canada is proud to have such strong representatives in the Castlegar area, and we invite you to stop by and say hello today! PETROCANADA® 4450 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar Telephone 365-3315 @ Marque de commerce de Petro-Canada — Trademark ,, - ww Lubricants Trowelex Equipment Rentals @ Wednesday, January 27, 1993 Selkirk faculty ink [Seniors survey beinc new two-year deal Corinne Jackson NEWS REPORTER One down, one to go. The Selkirk College Faculty Association voted 94 per cent in favor of a two-year contract offer, retroactive to March 31, 1992. “I'm glad that it’s over,” Barry Jackson said. The college’s negotiator said he wished the 10 months of ne- gotiations had not gone on so long , but now he is looking for- ward to completing talks with the school’s second union. Ne- gotiations with the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada will not take as long, Jackson said, adding “there aren’t many outstanding issues at this moment.” SCFA’s negotiator Jim Howard said the time spent on nego- tiations was worthwhile. “It could maybe have been (more) efficient but we're certain- ly happy with the outcome. There were no concessions by the union,” he said, calling the deal a victory. SCFA’s 117 members will receive a two per cent wage in- crease, retroactive to April 1, 1992 and a 1.83 per cent increase the following year. The college has also agreed to a 100 per cent benefit contribution plan. As well, the professional development fund will no longer be a flat rate. As of April 1 1993, the fund will equal two per cent of the total salary budget. The “regularization” of part-time employees is also being ap- plauded by the SCFA as a major win. According to Howard, short-term employees who are called back for a third year in a row must be hired on full-time. Howard said there have also been improvements to work cr loads and the human rights and harassment clauses. “There are a lot of changes that make (this) a stronger deal.” School district-teachers back at bargaining table NEWS STAFF Negotiators for School Dis- trict No. 9 and its employees are making progres, In fact, after three days of bargaining that’s all either side will say about current contract talks. Castlegar and District Teachers Association presi- dent Bill Gorkoff said most non-monetary issues are be- ing settled. Gorkoff added that he hopes a strike vote can be averted and that rotating strike action that has’ forced closure of several B.C. schools won't hit Castlegar. “We're hoping that we won't have to resort to those tactics, but it’s certainly not out of the question,” he said. The non-money issues of the talks include the integra- tion of special needs students and adjusting the school cal- endar to fit non-instructional and instructional days into the year, class sizes, a mater- nity sub-plan and early retire- ment incentives. Board spokesperson and SD No. 9 secretary-treasurer John Dascher said he expects a settlement. “Talks are proceeding well,” he said. “As long as the two parties are talking that’s the key.” Discussions with the board’s independent negotia- tor John Thorne are expected to continue until Friday. REBEL Lic. No. 764833 Sunday, Jan. 31 EARLY BIRD 6:00 P.M. *500 BONANZA 60% PAYOUT (Sponsored by Castlegar Rebels Hockey Association) rewo IF YOU MISS THIS DATE, THERE COULD BE NO ACCOUNTING FOR YOUR CHOICE OF CAREER. accounting body to bring mandatory computer use into its program of studies. Its hardly surprising CGA graduates enjoy such a decided edge ina demanding marketplace. Yet for all the rewards, you dont even have to leave your current position to become a CGA. Our five-level program lets you learn at your own pace while you continue to eam a living. In Castlegar call Joan Blain, CGA at 365-7287 or call TOLL FREE to 1-800-565-1211 for our information kit. Isn't it time you started being accountable to yourself? ebruary 10th is the deadline for admission to the start of this Springs CGA program Which means you've got very little time left to make one of your biggest decisions ever: to become a CGA. And if you think its strictly a job for number crunchers, you've badly miscalculated. CGAs are financial managers, vice-presidents, controllers of large corporations. They make important business decisions affecting hundreds of people. Recently, the CGA Association became Canada’s first professional ee CGA Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia 1555 West 8th Avenue. Vancouver, British Cohumbia V6] IT5. Telephone 732-1211 Fax 732-1252