LIMIT TECK'S ABILITY TO SELL ELECTRICITY

AS SEEN IN SEPT 16th ISSUE of CASTLEGAR NEWS

http://www.castlegarnews.com/

Limit Teck's ability to sell electricity, asks union

Sep 14 2005

by Dale Wes News Editor

Castlegar city council has been asked not to take sides in the labour dispute at Teck Cominco but rather to help keep West Kootenay economic revival alive Derm Jackman, Teck Cominco employee and Steel Workers of America, local 480, picket line captain, appeared before council to recount the dispute and ask council for support - not just for striking workers but for area businesses and residents.

"Back when the company was struggling for survival, it turned to the locals and the region for support, said Jackman.  Employees gave contractual concessions. Taxpayers accepted increased taxes and reduced services. The price was paid in the hope the company would prosper and, in turn, area communities would prosper, too. Thirteen years later, the company is making record profits, continued Jackman, "but, said Jackman, "This employer seems to have forgotten the past and the sacrifices made by everyone."

"People in the region are suffering again such as small businesses that rely on the wages spent by Teck Cominco employees who are now going without. The current situation is a slap in the face for all those that helped the company recover," said Jackman.

"For Teck Cominco to throw water on the spark of this economic recovery is even more of a slap in the face." Jackman asked council to help keep the economy prosperous by writing Teck Cominco CEO Donald Lindsay "advising" a return to bargain.

He also asked that they also write to Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy and Mines and Petroleum Resources, asking for his intervention. Finally, he asked that council support a resolution being considered by Trail council to amend Teck Cominco's water licence. "The company was granted water rights to provide stable, economic power for the production of metal, to provide good jobs and economic stability for area residents," said Jackman.

"The company was not given those water rights for the sake of selling power exclusively, that is what they are now doing," Jackman urged council to ask the province to limit the amount of power Teck Cominco may generate during a labour disruption at its Trail operations.

Questioned by council, Jackman noted such an amendment wouldn't limit sales of excess power, only power that would normally be used in the production of metals.

"Teck Cominco is filling their coffers selling power.  That's unacceptable to us as union members and residents of this community. Teck Cominco must not have the ability to hold our communities hostage - which is exacly what they are doing. "

With 200 or so Castlegar residents directly affected by the Teck Cominco dispute, council noted that it would like to see an end to the dispute. Mayor Mike O'Connor advised, however, that council couldn't act on the resolution until it had been ratified by Trail. O'Connor noted that "techical" issues still needed to be clarified - such as whether such an amendment could be made in the first place.

Contact Information:

Honourable Richard Neufeld
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Phone:  250 387-5896    FAX:  250 356-2965
Address:  PO Box 9060 - STN PROV GOVT - Victoria, BC. V8W 9E2

Mayor
Mike O'Connor
City of Castlegar
Phone: 250-365-7227  FAX: 250-365-4810
Address: 460 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, BC. V1N 1G7