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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-08-11, Page 4ae PAGE 4—GODERICHSIGNAL-STAH, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11,1982 e DAVE SYKES • The major problem confronting the vacationer upon returning to work is the vivid realization that things simply don't change. The rigid and regimented routine of the job hits hard after languid and idyllic days without a hint of routinization. While total recall of the specific names of the days eludes me at the best of times, I was at a total loss during my vacation to offer a meagre estimate on any given day. Monday blurred into Wednesday and Thursday was not unlike any, other, day. My kind of days, to be sure. But my return to rigors of the work week at this newspaper provoked haunting -memories of a structured and rigid lifestyle. Everything that I had so eagerly left behind three weeks earlier, was waiting upon my return. The told 9 to 5 work day has taken on more demanding proportions. Strict adherence to deadlines looms over my head as well as the usual evening work and weekend assign- ments. It all seems like a bad dream but at least serves to offer conclusive evidence that as long as there are crazy jobs, there will be crazy people to fill them. The missus didn't help matters in the least during the vacation and simply aggravated and played oil' my depleted -psyche. Each day she would smugly proclaim that my deserved period of rest and relaxation was growing shorter- while offering a 'sardonic grin. I hate pretentious Women. But, while the little lady was torturing my mind and counting the days to my return to work, she bemoaned the fact that mothers" and housewives never get a holiday or vacation. S was obviously trying to make me feel guil and doing a good job of it. She even eld a floppy hand to her forehead in a vain attempt to attract sympathy to the plight :of beleaguered mothers and housewives everywhere. I wasn't buying that crap. There are drawbacks to every job, oc- cupation and career. While my mind was entirely free of thoughts related to this occupation the resident mother insisted it was impossible to take a vacation from her job and that her tedious washing, cleaning and related chores required constant at- tention.' She may have a small point there (please don't throw rocks at me) but I contended that her labours, while they are consistent and considerableewere not as demanding as the ones faced by this wretched writer. While my remarks may reflect a blatant sexist attitude, my actions are much more noble and generous. I respect the lady's job and the patience and devotion it requires. Maybe there's just something about me,. but even when I try to help out things go awry. I enjoy eating and enjoy it more when I do the cooking. So all during the holidays I • was cooking and barbequeing tasty snacks and bits at all hours of the day and night. Near the end of the holiday, the missus was anxious for a hasty return to work on my part, because she was eating too much and gaining weight in the process. Some Telles screw up everything. While I will avoid regaling your senses with an itemized list of my activities over the past three weeks, I must admit to having sadly failed at achieving a major vacation goal I von ed to watch at least one late show during - the three-week hiatus, which solicited .uncontrollable laughter from -the better. half, Her laughter was prophetic in nature as I failed to keep the lids open for the late news on most nights, let alone a movie. But, I am determined that there will be a late movie in my future. As for returning to work, it hasn't been a big adjustment from holidays. I'm still sitting around drinking coffee and reading papers. BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second, class mail registration. number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Founded In 111411 and published every Wednesday at Ood.rIch, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OW/NA. Adver- tising ratios on request. Subscriptions payable In ■/vane In Canada. 'WM to U S.A-, °NOM to all other coun- tries, single copies W. Display advertising rates arsUable, on request. Please ask for late.Cerd No. 11 effective Oc- tob.r.1, 1511. Second clan mall iteglstratlon Number 111111. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the even of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with reasonable ,ollowadcs for signature, will not be charged for:but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the ap- pUcabla rata. In the event of o typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell. and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star is not responsible for the lou or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- poses PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor . ° P.O. BOX 220,. • the 'C 4i11JCKINS ST. odes INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 4B6 FOII BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Tough pill to swallow -.._-._—There bas .beeualoLof:.dlialogue and negative criticism of the Liberal government's proposed voluntary restraint program! ave:• I ThereTno sense: pretending that restraint is in any way vaguely appealing to the populace. It's not. Restraint is a large and uncomfortable pill for anyone to swallow. The provincial civil servants of British Columbia have made their feelings known on restraint by walking off the job last week. Admittedly, it is much easier to offer coinmentary on a , situation far removed from our own in Ontario. But in British Columbia the statistics are even less appealing. The province has one of the highest unemployment rates • in the country and the government faces a rather large deficit for the current fiscal year. • The public servants there are looking for an increase of at least 15 per cent in a One-year contract. The govern ment is adhering to the example set 'by the federal • government by offering six and `five per cent. over -two .. years. t • i31it the_pubhe_serxants--Of that-provance_wJ uldu'L.._buy_._____. restraint and now 30,000 are on strike for higher wages. The right to strike i 'powerful tool and it will be in- teresting to see how many unions make use of that tool as • more governments and companies flail away at restraint. . In the case of British Columbia, the public servants' strike will create disruptions to routine and perhaps, hardships in some cases, And to add insult to injury, B.C. residents will be denied the option of drowning frustrations in comforting • beverages as the strike includes beer and liquor store employees. • However, regardless of . the disruptive situation, Premier Bennett and his government must stand by their.._ offer. Considering that the province has one of the highest rates of unemployment, it would be; difficult for the union to justify a 15 per cent increase: And it would be more difficult for the government to justify its action, if that increase was granted. Nobody said restraint would be easy, but, it may be necessary. D.S. Lacking:asense of unity Whatever his shortcomings, Prime Minister Trudeau is absolutely right in his contention that the only way out of our present economic situation ,lies in cooperation and a measure of sacrifice on the part of all Canadians at all levels. But so far there is little evidence that voluntary restraint will be forthcoming. The organized employees of smaller businesses across the country have been taking their lumps for many months. When it is evident the only choice lies between acceptance off pay without increases or no pay at all, these people have proven they are realists. Such is far' from the case, however, with the labour unions and the big business corporations. The leadership of the Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are flatly refusing to accept the six per cent guidelines set out by Trideau. The plumbers and pipefitters recently turned down an offer of $4 per hour, which would have brought their hourly rate to about $22 or $880 for a 40 -hour week. Nurses are demanding a 25 per cent increase. Air Canada and Bell Canada say there is no way they can get by on six per cent, despite the fact that their rates must have cabinet approval. In fact Bell sent out a printed notice a few weeks ago, informing subscribers that its application for increases would be for 25 per cent on. domestic service and 35 per cent for business phones. Although he has failed to clarify what action will be taken, Trudeau has promised that unless such demands are modified the government will use force to impose its guidelines. Just what methods are in store we do not know, for the prime minister has stated, that wage and price controls are not comtemplated. The entire situation is indicative of Canada's gravest national problem -lack of a unified sense of purpose or willingness to co-operate in the quest for a solution to those ills which affect all of us. We have become a nation whose only common rallying cry is "Me first." Largely unspoken is the rest of the sentence, "I'll get mineand to hell with all the rest of you:" As the stupid battle of the Falkland Islands was under way we were reminded that, like the Argentinians, we have made a sorry mess of a great opportunity. Both countries are blessed with boundless.spaec'good land and unlimited natural resources -virtually lands of milk and honey. And what have we accomplished with all these gifts. eed good information Freedom of information is an essential and integral part of any free nation in the.warlettoday it is a freedom to be valued and heralded. In fact, freedom of information, the Dryden Observer claims, is a cornerstone of democracy. Not only is it necessary and essential to a well-informed electorate, but it is also essential to the astute politician if he is to make the right decisions most of the time. That statement is truly idealistic and actually the reverse may be much closer to the truth. Many programs and policies developed hehihd closed doors run the serious risk of being way off target, not what is Urgently required, or founded on false, misinformed .or unintentionally biased premises. The freedom of information principle. • rightly or wrongly, assumes the intelligence of the electorate. Even at the municipal and board level, contrary' to the fear of many administrators and not a few elected officials, a well-informed public at all times may bring a few more phone calls and livelier discussion at coffee klatches, but it will not result in the scuttling of programs and the turfing out of officials as fast as trying to do too mush without public involvement. A professional journalist, as the public's representative, should attend meetings of local governing bodies and their committees, and that same journalist should be allowed the final word on what is newsworthy and what is not. Otherwise there is no point in having hirr. there. But, he must • indeed, be professional enough to adequately and accurately report that news or the elec- torate suffers. Intrigue By Joanne Buchanan DEAR READERS • SHIRLEY KELLER I was intrigued - I suppose others were too - by the story mica London, Ontario this week which detailed the numbers of people lined up through. the night to register at Fanshawe- College for continuing education courses. • Retraining or updating present training seems to be \very high on the priority list of growing numbers of people who are either unemployed or caught in low-paying, dead -ended jobs. • There's no doubt that l some Canadians are developing a different attitude now toward earning'a. living. At long last there appears to be a sense of urgency about it - a . renewed un- derstanding of the true value of a good job and a sincere commitment to the demands of the work- place. It's about time too. Such signs are encouraging. They should also be carefully observed by today's fulltime students - the fellows and gals who are presently in high school or in university. • These 'potential employees should be advised there's no, future in coasting through school as has been the habit of some in years past. Just getting by isn't goodenough anymore. To get the jobs available and to keep them and be suc- cessful, one must be better than most 'or be left behind. Employers now need the best from every member of the staff. The unachievers are being cut as industry and commerce streamline operations to stay in business. Everyone has to pull his weight - or be replaced. Production. has always been essential to, survival but for a while, many employers and employees forgot that. Increments and benefits became a right not a privilege. Greed replaced pride; quantity superseded quality. Management and labour got soft and sloppy, clogging the lean, efficient machines that used to keep this nation prosperous. The maddening part of it all though,' is the labour factions who still haven't come to grips with the bare facts of life. I had a chat a few weeks ago with a friend who is employed in 'St. Catharines at'a plant which manufactures automotive p`ra'xis for General Motors. She advised the employees there Were • determined ,not to make concessions to management and were prepared to strike unless their wage demands were met when the next contract came due. That kind of Joe Lunchpail mentality isn't confined to St. Catharines, of course. There are examples of it all over Canada as workers turn a deaf ear to'management's problems. I wasn't really interested in the arguments labour has' for tempting management to shut down manufacturing or weeding out staff or resorting to mass layoffs or whatever. My question was: "What kind of people would vote to strike in the midst of such economic chaos?" The answer was as honest a one as I've heard throughout the last year or so. My friend explained it this way: "I wouldn't say my associates in the workplace are dumb. They aren't. But they are out of.touch with the real world," My friend explained that in St. Catharines,. the people who are employed in this particular plant have been making much higher than the average wage for many, many years. Their benefits have been superior to those enjoyed by practically anyone else in St. Catharines and area The Golden Horseshoe. This particular plant is a kind of tight -knit community. Employees bowl together after hours; they attend employee -sponsored social events; they take holidays together; they compete with•each other for life's luxuries. They talk the same language and share the same salary bracket. And they become inbred and isolated. Their common bond is the union and they know very little else but what they hear from their union leaders and each other. It's an all: encompassing way of life and they know no security outside it. To be sure, not all employees get caught up in this "family" syndrome. But enough of them do ta sway the balance of things - and to control the destiny. of many .others inside and outside ,the plant. I realize thistust reviews the philosophy which has been the. strength of unions throughout the ages. It's nothing new. Nothing we didn't already know. And yet it is a threat to us all - and no idle threat. Whole nations haVe crumbled because such a philosophy grew wild and unchecked like a deadly cancer. I'm encouraged to see more and more Canadians respo n i g to the government's call for the six and five program. I'm encouraged to see more and more workers, getting down to the business at hand with some purpose and dedication. And I'm encouraged to see lineups for con- tinuing education programs, for that says to me that. men and women right here are serious about preparing for the task of retooling this country's workforce. There's a job to be done. Some of us are getting on with it. And that's good news no matter how you slice it. Fisherman's Wharf fee explained Dear Editor, This message refers to the new launching ramp in the area known as the Fisher- man's Wharf, a 100 foot strip adjacent to. the -river -.all- beside the road and under lease to the t -own from the Federal Government. It is a popular boat launching spot • with local and visiting sport fishermen. The old ramp was rather primitive and past its best. There were eompiaints and demands for a new ramp in that location. - Perhaps it should be added that the town already had a proper launching ramp a bit further down the road, in *the Snug Harbor. Upon request, the town applied and the application was successful under the BILD program (Board of Industrial Leadership and aggravations. However, let us look at the other side. We may want to be grateful that vve are. able to offer this new $26,000 r...facil~ity.,.as another-seivice to. tourists as well as local. sportsmen. It may not be so terribly out of line to pay a small user fee of either $2.50 a day or $15 a full season, Dvelopment). The new ramp was completed early in the summer at a cost of ap- proximately $20,000 to the Federal Government. No local tax money was in- volved. The town added some general improvements and clean-up and the area becarne quite presentable. However, from the beginning, one of the Federal conditions was that a fee for the use of the new ramp must be collected and that the Federal Government must be paid a certain percentage of the total gross amount. There are now many complaints about this (small) fee. The Waterfront Committee (the'undersigned as chairman and Deputy - Reeve Bob Allen as co- chairman) would like you to know that the payment of the fee is not the ten/Vera choice, I may also add that the collection is rather a nuisance. We must pay someone to be there and to collect from the fishermen. Considering this plus the percentage to the Federal Government, we are lucky if we break even, not to mention the additional paperwork and this entitling one to use both ramps, the new one and the one in Snug Harbor. Knowing the circumstances fully may help you un- derstand, n-derstan l ;- and .accept the situation more realistically and with good cheer. We do have good fishing. Sincerely, Elsa Haydon. Thanks for donations Dear Editor: The Goderich Recreation Department would like to take this opportunity to thank the following businesses in town who donated .prizes for our an- nual Penny Carnival held last week: Fincher's, Riecks Pharmacy, Campbell's Cameras, Dunlop Phar- macy, Squire Gifts, Mac's Milk,. A & P,- Nakamura's Pharmacy, Triangle Discount Store, and Anderson's Book Centre. It is through businesses such as these that help to make programs for the children of Goderich suc- cessful. Special thanks goes to all the children who helped Turn to page 5 A