Posted by KEN GREENE on April 06, 1999 at 19:53:38:
CAW LOCAL 4504 ALONG WITH THE UMWA, CUPE AND THE IAM HAVE OBTAINED 3 SEPERATE LEGAL OPINIONS WHICH ALL AGREE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS CONTRAVINED THE ACT OF PARLIAMENT THAT GOVERNS THIS COMPANY. WE ARE NOW SEEKING THE DIRECTION OF THE CAW LEGAL OFFICE ON HOW TO PROCEED ON THIS ISSUE. WE, ALONG WITH THE OTHER UNIONS INVOLVED ARE ALSO APPROCHING THE CLRB TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER ON OUR BEHALF. THE MATTER IN QUESTION, IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S INSISTANCE ON DICTATING THE TERMS OF CLOSURE OR PRIVITIZATION OF DEVCO. WE BELIEVE, AND THE LEGAL OPINIONS THAT WE HAVE OBTAINED, INDICATE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE NEGOTIATING FAIR COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE DISPLACED BY THE CLOSURE OF DEVCO. IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ALLOWED TO PROCEED ON ITS PRESENT COURSE, 1184 EMPLOYEES OF THIS COMPANY WILL BE SEVERED, MOST OF WHOM HAVE OVER 20 YEARS INVESTED IN THE COAL INDUSTRY, ARE 40 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER, AND KNOW NO OTHER WAY TO MAKE A LIVING.