page three The Other Press March 12, 1981 news Minimum wage? A decision is expected today from the college per- sonnel department on its interpretation of the student employment act. by Tom Schoenewolf B.C. government emplo- yee’s union has_ asked Robert Saaka, assistant personnel director, for the decision aftér the union received a complaint from Gail Freeman who said she is not being paid minimum wage. Freeman is presently em- ployed at the Richmond campus library and is recei- ving $3.50/hr, 15 cents less than minimum wage. This also applies to other first and second semester stu- dent assistants at the col- lege. Freeman also complained to Kim Manning, student society vice-president ex- ternal. Manning met with BCGEU chairperson, Linda Toczok, who said that the unions interpretation of the act is that minimum wage should apply to those over the age of 17, whether or not the job is educationally ca- reer related. Union pickets banned at CNC } : : : : : ee ete ' PRINCE GEORGE § B.C. (CUP)--Students and union members are outraged at a B.C. labor relations board decison which forced an employees’ union local at the College of New Caledo- nia to withdraw its picket line after a three-day strike. No reasons for the cease and desist order were given by the board, said Lauma Avens of the Association of University and College Em- ployees (AUCE). Avens is accusing the college and the labor ministry of interfering with a legal strike to ensure the college is functioning during the B.C. winter ga- mes, held the weekend of March 7. ‘All the college is con- cerned about is the games, not our 182-member bar- gaining unit,’’ Avens said. “‘But no event will keep us from exercising our right to strike.”’ In a referendum February 28, almost 88 per cent of the voting students supported the striking AUCE workers. Most students and faculty members have refused to cross the picket lines.’’ AUCE spent six months negotiating for a new con- tract, which was rejected by 93 per cent of the member- ship. the college had of- fered a two-year contract. With 12 and Il percent wage increases. : “The college’s _ offer didn’t even cover today’s cost of living increases, let alone allow us to catch up,”’ said Avens. Students pay sports fee WINNIPEG dents at Red River Com- munity College will have to pay sports fees out of their own pockets next year, but they can rest assured their TV bill will be paid by their students association. In an effort to improve the calibre of varsity level sports at the college, the student council voted over- whelmingly to approve the sports levy scheme, which will see each student at the college paying $2 per month towards sports. The idea was presented by the provin- cial government to coucil for approval and was later ap- proved by the other two colleges in the province. Last summer, the council at the college decided to spend $30,000 on an inter- nal television system which would be paid for over a period of five years. The sports scheme will free a- bout $19,000 in the council’s budget, and making pay- (CUP)--Stu- ments on the TV system should be no problem. This year the first install- ment on the TV_ system came from cutbacks in al- most every area of expendi- ture, but student council isn’t worried about making payments on the system in the future. Currently, the province and the college share the cost of sports facilities at the college. Students’ con- tributions are covered by their $2 a month student fee. According to sports di- rector Gord Muir, the 80,000 that will be gene- rated from the sports levy next year will enhance the image of the otherwise have gone to the U OF M or U of W. If the college’s atheletic program improves as ex: pected, ‘‘we could — have kids flocking to the colle- ge,’’ Muir said. According to Manning, The BCGEU informed Saaka of their position, and re- quested a decision on the interpretation from the col- lege. Saaka said he would re-examine the act. Multi-campus council passed a motion at last Monday’s meeting support- ing the payment of mini- mum wage to students em- ployed at the college. A letter has also been sent to the personnel department outlining councils position and inquiring whether re- troactive pay will be granted to those students who have been paid less than mini- mum wage. Manning has also learned through the B.C. students federation that the situation at Douglas College is simi- liar to that of other learning institutions throughout the province. Wine dipped. rackap Interior students CFS members after referendum KELOWNA B.C. (CUP)-- Students at Okanagan Col- lege have voted 84 per cen’ in favor of joining ¢’ fledgling Canadian Fede. tion of Students (CFS). The college, by a vote of 331 to 65 in a two-day refe- rendum, becomes the third institution in Canada to join CFS an tion of provincial student organizations, the Association of Student Councils and the National Union of Students. Student society chair Phil Link said the margin of vic- tory was astounding. We thought there would be much more of a campaign on the ‘no’ side,’’ he said. ““But we were surprised by the enthusiasm shown to- ward CFS.’’ Though the referendum’ had the highest voter turn- out at the college in more than four years, a campaign amalgama- ee ong with the cards. may be started to nullify the results. Gary Pullen, who resig- ned from the student asso- ciation executive just two days before the vote, is planning to circulate a peti- tion demanding the refe- rendum be declared invalid. Pullen says he has had several complaints about the way the referendum was run, adding that ‘‘there was no opposition allowed.”’ Says Link: ‘‘That’s crap. On several occasions stu- dents, including Pullen, stood up near the cafeteria polling station and expres- sed their doubts about CFS. ‘*Pullen also knew about the referendum months ago. If he had wanted to cam- paign against CFS he was free to do so.”’ The other CFS referen- dums were passed last month at Saint Mary’s and Carleton universities.