February 19, 1981

news

The Other Press

page three

by Rob Guzyk

Surprise, rise. The Douglas College stu- dent society won't be pay- ing their telephone bills at least until a new contract has been signed between the telecommunication workers union and_ the management of B.C.Tel. Council passed. a motion to withhold payment of their bills, with the condi- tion a letter be sent explai- ning why to the manage- ment of B.C. Tel.

surprise, sur

by Carol Pope

A renovated concession stand, tucked ‘in beside Centennial Pool, has offi- cially been the Port Coquit- lam .Area Women’ ‘Center for almost six years.

The women’s centre is run as a collective by over 100 members.

‘“‘The number of women who drop in has tripled in

two years,’ said member }Noreen Hardy. ““Last month we _ received 112

phone calls and 171 women came by.”’

The centre acts as a meeting place for women to exchange ideas and _ infor- mation, find support and

and make new friends. ““Many women get in-

VANCOUVER (CUP) -- The BC government has axed more than 5,000 summer jobs, including 1,500 speci- fically meant for students, in what is called a ‘‘belt- tightening move,’’ by the director of the employment opportunities program.

Virginia Greene _ said February 9 no dollar figures would be available until March, but added the move would result in a sizeable decrease from last year’s budget of $24 million.

Greene said 1,500 student jobs were discontinued after the work in government program was cancelled. But she could not give an exact breakdown of the lost jobs, saying the government this year funded the creation of only 11,000 jobs, compared with 16,000 in 1980.

The University of B.C. stu dent council was quick to react to the job cuts.

acceptance, and just relax -

‘‘The union is asking for concerned groups and ci- tizens to stop payment so that the .company won't receive interest during the dispute,’’ vice-president external Kim Manning said. ‘The union has been without a contract for 13 months.,’’

““We as students and members of the community should respect the workers against a foreign-controlled monopoly,’’ he said.

Student society president Kevin Hallgate expressed concern that the motion

volved with the centre be- cause they feel isolated and need some support or con- versation,’’ said Hardy.

Legal assistance, crisis aid, referals to doctors, lawyers and babysitters and information on _ education programmes are offered.

A feminist library and a children’s corner are con- tained in the tiny building which was renovated and furnished by female volun- teers.

The building was _ sup- plied by the city of Port Coquitlam although funds are needed for the phone, coffee and paper supplies, insurance, babysitters and other expenses.

Funds are also required to pay two organizers and

At a meeting February 11, council members voted to write a letter of protest to the provincial government, which carried a promise of further action if the protest was ignored.

‘I have no intention of sitting idle while they cut that money out of student hands,’’ external affairs of- ficer-elect James Hollis said after the meeting.

‘The action of the pro- vincial government is a severe oversight, and they must be made aware of the consequences to _ rethink their course of action,’’ he said.

The job cuts also came

under fire from the BC Students’ Federation (BCSF).

‘It’s intolerable,’’ BCSF spokesperson Steve Shallhorn said.

‘‘Last summer, the un- employment rate among

would set a precedent in favour of the future strikes. Manning replied that it was not taking a stand for unions, but a single case. “By not withholding our payment, we are implicitely supporting the management of B.C. Tel. I think it’s time for the student society to

grow up - it’s not an in sular group.”’ Manning said.

An independent federal mediator’s report was ac- cepted by the union, but not by the management of B.C. Tel;

PoCo women’s centre

an office worker. A non- profit organization, it has received financial support from its members, the mu- nicipal, provincial and fe- deral governments, busi ness corporations and ser vice organizations.

The women’s centre is credited with starting the Coquitlam Women’s Emer- gency Crisis Shelter and with the production of a monthly newsletter. A book about the centre has been written by the founding members.

The centre is a member of the National Action Com- mittee on the Status of Women.

It is open to all women from Monday to Friday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. For information call 941-6311.

Socreds axe jobs’

students was as high as 19.5 per cent. Combined with higher tuition fees and no student aid changes, its clear that the _ provincial government has a policy of keeping lower income stu- dents out of school,’’ he said.»

Greene denied the char- ge, saying ‘‘I don’t think he’d get much agreement from the provincial govern- ment on that.’’

“T think it may be diffi- cult for students to find jobs in the provincial govern- ment. But while the work in government program has been cancelled, there are still other summer job op- portunities in the public job market,’’ she said.

An additional 3,500 jobs in the non-profit organiza- tionand private sectors were

cut in the government ac- tion.

During the last B.C. Tel strike, 20,000 people did not pay their B.C. Tel bills.

Meanwhile, in a move contrary to a motion two weeks ago, the student so- ciety passed a motion to deposit their funds with the Westminster Credit Union,

SS to withhold payment

At the last multi-campus council meeting on Monday, a motion to deposit funds in the Westminster credit Union was rejected in

favour of the. Royal Bank, which has invested in re- pressive regimes such as apartheid South Africa and

Chile.

instead of the Royal Bank.

Kevin Hallgate kicks around a few ideas while thinking about his strategic plans for the next grueling student society meeting. :

Canada world youth

by Sandra Fox

For its tenth consecutive year, Canada Worid Youth (CWY), a non-profit organization, is offering young Canadians between the ages of 17 and 20 the oppor- tunity to learn indepth about developing nations.

CWY will be sending 800 young Canadians this year on a seven month exchange programme to developing nations such as Africa, Asia, or Latin American as well as in Canadian communities.

The exchange program aims at helping young people to explore their role and place in society and in the world today.

Brenda Wemp works temporarily in the CWY office and has had the opportunity of going on the program a few years ago.

Wemp said that the program ‘‘challenges peoples’ beliefs in themselves as well as in other people from different cultures.’’

Throughout the seven months, these young Canadians live and work in vastly different cultures and commu- | nities. Small teams of CWY participants start in Canada then overseas, and do volunteer work in fields such as agriculture, co-ops, environment, social services, small business, recreation and community groups.

‘“‘The program is quite an intense experience. There is some culture shock as well as a big adjustment experience from the program,’’ Wemp said.

Costs for food, lodging and transportation during the - program are covered by CWY, as well as pocket money. This purposely allows the 7 month experience available to young people from all backgrounds and statuses.

Those Douglas College students who may be interested in the CWY prograqm may obtain information and application forms from the Dean of Student Services, 700 building, 2nd floor, New Westminster campus or phone local 270.

March 31, 1981 is the deadline for CWY offices to

receive applications.