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The Citizen, 1991-09-11, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 1991. Co-operation needed In a world that is rapidly changing economically, Canadians still seem bent on winning battles of the 19th century when it comes to labour-management relations in Canada. Canadians are faced this week with a walk-out of federal civil servants upset because the federal government wants to freeze wages to help battle the deficit. The postal strike is on hold these days because a mediator is at work but there is no guarantee mail won’t be held up again. There's a restlessness in many pnvate sector unions as they worry about falling behind and guaranteeing jobs. Our whole system is based on the model of confrontation between the workers and management of companies. It is a system that might have worked when Canada could be a relatively independent nation, but in this day of open borders and international competitiveness , we can't afford to have disunity in our business and industry or international competitors will steal our business away. We must find ways to get workers and management working together for their common good instead of eternally distrusting each other. The saga of Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie is a perfect illustration of what has been wrong with our system and what can go right. Only a few months ago the United Steel Workers led the workforce out on a bitter four-month strike because the union wouldn't believe management that times were tough. Management has since been proved right as the plant went into bankruptcy. Today, the United Steel Workers is on the other side of the table, trying to convince workers to invest their own money to buy the plant in order to keep their jobs. Ironically, to make the plant profitable, the workers will have to modernize and lay off many of themselves. The worker buy-out is modelled on similar takeovers of many steel plants in the U.S. that have put workers directly involved in management of their own plants. It is one way of making workers feel part of the business and responsible for the health of their company. Taking a break Whether through workers owning part of the business or other means, ways must be found to get everybody playing on the same team. We can either co-operate and win, or we can watch the countries that do co-operate take our jobs away. It could happen here It's hard to believe the kind of hatred we'd seen in Yugoslavia could ever happen in Canada but the signs are here that unless Canadians smarten up and put life in perspective, we could end up with the kind of bitterness that lasts generations and can lead to violence. The kind of idiocy that has been apparent in the Eric Lindros situation shows how, once people get hypersentitive, all common sense can go out the window. The young hockey star was treated dreadfully by the media in Quebec this week as he represented his country in the Canada Cup. He has said he doesn't want to play in Quebec City and because of that has become a symbol of English Canadian rejection of Quebec. He's said he would love to play in Montreal, but that hasn't deterred people from saying he is anti­ French. It’s easy to say Mr. Lindros should just shut up and take the money Quebec Nordiques are offering. While he claims he could make more money from endorsements and commercials in larger cities and would pay less in taxes in the U.S., in fact anywhere but Quebec, it's hard to feel too sorry for a guy who will be a millionaire for lTfe even if he breaks his back two days after he signs his contract. How much money does he need? Still, players have refused to play in cities before. Several players refused to be drafted by Toronto. Quebec hero Mario Lemieux didn't want to play in Pittsburgh at first. Mr. Lindros and his parents have shown in the past in their dealings with junior hockey that they expect to call the shots as to where he displays his phenomenal talent But reason doesn't seem to have anything to do with the issue. Many in Quebec are looking for people from English Canada to hate and Mr. Lindros, teenager that he is, is a good symbol. The same tragic symbolism has been seen in this part of Canada. Remember, the silly "English only" resolutions that meant nothing in anything but symbolic terms, helped create this crisis. We're in a vicious circle where the symbols on one side of the issue inflame people on the other side which creates more symbols and adds to more hatred. It's the kind of dangerous slide that can lead to long­ term hatred and haired can lead to violence that can plague regions for years to come. Maybe it's time for people on both sides to step back and look at where this silliness can lead in places like Yugoslavia? Unique spirit makes Thresher Reunion work I've got to be honest. I do not share the enthusiasm that everyone else seems to have for the Huron County Pioneer Thresher Reunion. My indifference was rooted very early in my life. It comes in part from over-exposure and in the sec­ ond part from the ignorance of childhood, when the only world is the one that revolves around you. I was introduced to country music, I am certain, from the time I was in the womb and believe me there's no way to get away from it there. Thus it would seem my toler­ ance for fiddles and steel guitars has been unequivocally lowered. In addition, my only exposure to farm life was visiting my cousin when I was a child and, as such, is quite limited. It was for me a time of carefree existence. I played in the chicken coop, ate green beans and raspberries out of the garden, stole salt from the fascinating big, blue block in the pasture, and using burlap bags and binder twine as saddles and reins, rode on the stalls in the bam. I was unaware of the work and feeling of comradeship that was so much a part of my uncle's daily life and as a result have little under­ standing of the nostalgia and charisma of the Thresher Reunion. What I am aware of, however, is something that has impressed me of volunteers who are so committed to a project and after so many years, appear to be as enthused by it as they were in the beginning. While many communities have struggled to get support for certain endeavours the Thresher Reunion continues to thrive. And even for those who are not as enthralled can not fail to be admiring of the achievement of the people who began it and those who continue it. And who knows, maybe if I visit often enough, some of that feeling may even rub off. every year. Though the times have changed and farming is«a different industry than in the years before, the spirit of the event remains unchanged. The people involved display the same enthusiasm and pride in what they are accomplish­ ing as their predecessors. While some old-timers may find things not the way they used to be, for we newcomers the Thresher Reunion is an excellent example of community spirit. With everyone being so busy these days it's not often you are able to find a group Terry Fox run Sunday For the fourth year in a row, the town of Wingham is sponsoring a Terry Fox Run, this year on September 15, as a fund-raiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Dale and Linda Edgar of Gorrie, who began the event as a labour of love, having lost their infant daugh­ ter to cancer the year before, have been pleased with the participation in the run, but are hoping this year to encourage people in the Brus­ sels, Blyth and Ethel area to take part. "Il's an area that hasn't had much contact up until now and we'd like to see that change," said Mr. Edgar. Some 127 people took part in the 10 kilometre run last year which Mr. Edgar said was very inspiring for the organizers. "We found out from the foundation that per capita across Ontario we were in the lop 20, having raised a total of $8,500 towards the cause," he said. In its brief history the Wingham Terry Fox run has raised $22,000. "We're very proud of that," said Mr. Edgar. Registration is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the picnic shelter by the Wingham pool. The run will start there, rain or shine, and travel twice over a five kilometre route in lower town Wingham. Each year the run is led by Ter­ ry's team member, an individual whose cancer is in remission, as a symbol of hope, Mr. Edgar stated. This year for the second time, Lloyd (Casey) Casemore will be at the front of the Wingham event. Mr. Edgar said that Mr. Casemore, who has been in remission for many years, will represent people with sponsor sheets who can't run for some reason. Sponsor sheets can be picked up at Brussels EMA, and in Wingham at Zehrs, Shopper's Drug Mart, Tri­ angle Discount and the post office. "All they have to do is pick one up, find some sponsors and come and participate," said Mr. Edgar. "You can walk, run, bike, skateboard or roller skate. Since the beginning we have had just about everything." The Citizen P.O. Box 429. BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1 HO Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 The Citizen is published weekly In Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. 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