TRAIL CITY RESOLUTION: TECK POWER SALES
City sending resolution to UBCM on Teck’s Power Sales
Trail Daily Times, Friday September 9, 2005 - by Lana Rodlie, Times Staff
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Trail City council passed a somewhat revised resolution Thursday that will go to the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual meeting in late September.
The emergency resolution (one that is submitted past deadline) resolves that
“power generated as part of Trail Operations be utilized for it’s original intended purpose…” This would limit the continuation of Teck Cominco’s power sales excess of “normal and ongoing operating needs.
The mention of labour disputes in the original resolution was removed. United Steelworkers who have been on strike against Teck Cominco since July 19 made the push for the resolution at last month’s council meeting.
Rod Audia, past president of Local 480, said
“the basic principle behind the water flowing is to create a legacy for our people, our kids – it’s not to fill pockets for corporate greed.”
Three councilors who work for Teck Cominco removed themselves from the vote. Al Graham, Fred Ramano and Chris Moorehead cited conflicts of interest.
Pam Lewin was the only councilor to vote against the motion, asking that it be postponed until after UBCM meeting when discussions can be held with Premier Gordon Campbell, the minister of mines and Teck Cominco’s CEO Donald Lindsay.
In considering the resolution, Mayor Dieter Bogs read from a letter from Operation’s general manager Mike Agg, who suggested it would be a very bad idea for council to wade into the labour dispute.
“we feel that it is inappropriate for municipal government to become directly involved in labour dispute of local business,” Agg wrote.
“This is not the role that local municipalities should play. Trying to make changes to our power sales arrangements at any time, but particularly in an attempt to influence the outcome of a labour dispute could pose significant risk to the viability of the business. We respectfully request that the City of Trail refrain from involving itself in the issue.”
Bogs said he’d been involved in thousands of resolutions, but none has taken up so much time as this one.
Addressing the wording, he said the focus was not on the labour dispute but on the power, however “this action has been influenced by the dispute…”
He said council has been watching the situation in Kitimat regarding power sales by Alcan, and the parallels that exist between the two communities.
“That community has been devastated by power sales and continuing reductions in metal operations. There are several outstanding court cases involving the District of Kitimat and both Alcan and the provincial government.
“Trail city council hopes that there is not a similar evolution in Trail but must remain cognizant that this is a real threat…Council must look to develop a strategy that is in the best interest of the entire community recognizing that the long-term operation and corresponding prosperity of the company is a key component of any strategy developed.”In this regard, council must not be seen to be working for or against any one group," he said.
Bogs pointed out that the resolutions might not be accepted by other members of the UBCM, indeed, might not even be considered as a late resolution, hence “may not provide the assistance the union is looking for.”
But he felt it was necessary to proceed to adopt the resolution, as it would send “a clear message that this matter is of paramount importance to our community and sets the framework for future discussions and decision-making. “I would recommend that the most prudent action at this time would be to proceed with this resolution.”
With three for it and Lewin recorded as being against it, the resolution passed.
After the meeting, Teck Cominco representatives Mark Edwards and Carol Vanelli Woroz seemed happy with the changes.
“The current resolution is favourable in talking about the sustainability of the community,” Edwards said. “Council has the right, that the focus has to be making metals in Trail and that’s what the company and the community wants to do.”
Vanelli Woroz said situation in Kitimat is different from that in Trail.
“Their decision to reduce employment and increase power sales to curtail production – it’s part of their strategy,” she said. “They made a conscious decision to do that and Teck Cominco hasn’t.”
She noted that when metal prices were in the toilet a few years ago and the company was selling surplus power, “our employees were taken care of,” She said people were put on vacation or given different work to do. “No one suffered due to our taking advantages at that time.”Audia was also satisfied with the resolution. “It gives them the power to produce metal and that was the original intention,” he said.
“But a lot of work has to be done… And it’s good to hear them talk about long term viability. It’s very clear that this company must remain viable.”
Audia feels all the province’s resources – mining, water, communications, power and timber – should be tied to job creation.
"There’s only one reason to allow people to utilize resources and it’s to provide work and financial stability. We’ve proven our commitment to make sure the company, the city and the region remain viable. That’s what Steelworkers do.”
Trail Daily Times, Friday September 9, 2005
by Lana Rodlie, Times Staff
SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO TRAIL CITY MAYOR & COUNCILLORS
If you require voice your opinion on this City of Trail Resolution in regards to Teck Cominco Power Sales, do not hesitate to contact Trail City Hall.
Mayor Dieter Bogs
dbogs@trail.ca
Councillor
Jack Balfour
jbalfour@trail.ca
Councillor
Gordon DeRosa
gderosa@trail.ca
Councillor
Al Graham
agraham@trail.ca
Councillor
Pam Lewin
plewin@trail.ca
Councillor
Chris Moorhead
cmoorhead@trail.ca
Councillor
Fred Romano
fromano@trail.ca
Information on Waneta Dam and Teck Cominco Power Sales:
- Teck Cominco owns the Waneta hydroelectric dam, built in 1954 ten kilometres south of Trail and one of several hydroelectric generating plants in the region. The company also owns a 15 kilometre transmission line from Waneta to the United States power distribution system. The operation of these plants is coordinated through contractual arrangements with B.C. Hydro under which Teck Cominco receives approximately 2,500 GW.h per year of power, even during low water years, and has the right to sell any surplus power.
For more information on Teck Cominco's Power Sales and Smelter & Refineries Production see the following links:
a. Trail Power, Trail Operations:
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/power/index.htm
b. Trail Power, surplus power sold:
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/power/production.htm
c. Trail Power, Year In Review 2004:
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/power/review.htm
d. Trail Smelter and Refineries, Year In Review 2004: A strong focus on operating performance and productivity resulted in several production records and generated significant returns in 2004. Refined zinc production was 296,000 tonnes, which represents the best-ever year of refined zinc production, exceeding the previous record of 288,000 tonnes set in 1999.
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/trail/review.htm
d. Trail Smelter and Refineries, Year In Review 2004: Production Tables showing Yearly production and Increases.
http://www.teckcominco.com/operations/trail/production.htm
For more on the Kitimat Power Sales issue visit the following web sites:
1. For a full text "Power Issues Heating Up" letter by Rick Belmont, President, CAW, Local 2301 explaining the Kitimat Alcan Power Sales Situation click the following link:
"Power Issues Heating Up": http://www.caw2301.ca/junejuly2003hotline.htm
2. For a comprehensive web site containing more information on the Alcan power sales instead of jobs dispute in Kitimat dispute visit the ‘Save the Northwest Coalition’, a cross section of the community of Kitimat and Terrace, including local business owners, Alcan worker representatives, municipal politicians and concerned local citizens of the Northwest. click this link:
‘Save the Northwest Coalition’: http://www.savethenorthwest.ca/
To view the Key Petition document in this Power Sales vs. Job Creation dispute in Kitimat click the following links:
1. Kitimat Power Sales Supreme Court Petition (January 16, 2004)
Download KitAlcancourtpetition.pdf
To view some recent articles on the Kitimat Power Dispute see the following link:
1. Power Exports cost B.C. jobs - Derrick Penner - April 14, 2005 Vancouver Sun article
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