Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 23

CITYPLIS EDMONTON JOURNAL B3' WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2003 A-Channel union targets advertisers timidation of local advertisers. The union had asked the court to strike out A-Channel's statement of claim filed Sept. 26, which claims damages of $5 million, on the basis that the court has no jurisdiction over the matter because that's the job of the Canada Industrial Relations Board. But Belzil said he does have the jurisdiction and the lawsuit can proceed. Jim Haskins, general manager of A-Channel, was surprised to hear the union is going to target national advertisers, as they are "people who aren't involved in this labour dispute," he said A-Channel is different from the Herald in that television stations fall under the Canada Labour Code, which has a provision for first-contract arbitration.

The labour minister could send the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which could setde the terms and conditions of the first collective agreement between the parties, said Allen Ponak, professor of industrial relations at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business. In another development on Tuesday, Court of Queen's Bench Justice Paul Belzil ruled that A-Channel could sue the union over the alleged harassment and in Paperworkers Union in Winnipeg, Brandon and Toronto. They will be asked to "pull the plug" on ads running on television stations owned by Craig Media, which owns A-Channel in Edmonton, said Don MacNeil, the union's vice-president of the western region. He added there could be consequences for the advertisers if they don't comply, with union members handing out flyers asking customers to suspend their business with the companies. Almost a month ago, about 100 A-Channel staff went on strike in Edmonton to back demands for a first collective agreement.

Job security and wages are the "I thought they wouldn't be contacting advertisers of any kind while this is before the courts." Haskins said he's disappointed to see employees on the picket line, but "we still have more than 25 per cent of unionized staff working in our building. "Our local programs are running and looking good, and we haven't had a single advertiser change their order. It's business as usual." Picket George Gilbeau, a news photographer, said morale on the picket line is still high. "We all want to get back to work but we want a good first contract." clordthejournal.canwest.com main issue. The union wants to raise the average yearly salary of $28,000 by 12 per cent over the next three years.

First-time contracts are difficult to reach because there is no mechanism in Alberta to force the parties to negotiate them. For example, Calgary Herald journalists ended their almost eight-month strike against the newspaper in July 2000 afterfail-ingto achieve their first collective agreement. The bargaining unit was disbanded, and many journalists accepted buyout packages instead of returning to the paper. Those who returned were not punished for striking. pioneered home Asks companies to pull ads to force first contract CATHY LORD Journal Staff Writer EDMONTON The union local representing striking A-Channel workers launched a campaign Tuesday to pressure national advertisers to drop their commercials until a settlement is reached.

Advertisers such as Best Buy, Pepsi Co. and Bell Mobility will be contacted by members of the Communications, Energy and Mother Devoted to helping mentally disabled RICK PEDERSEN journal Staff Writer KDMONTON Thirty-two years ago, Marg Gor-da helped open a special door for people confined in Alberta's mental-health institutions. It was the front door to her two-storey Riverdale home. The era of institutionalization was ending but the mental-health system needed alternatives to the big hospitals in 1971, when Gorda contacted Alberta Hospital Edmonton to ask about references for a young woman. Gorda was looking forababysit-ter for her young boys, ages five and six.

The young woman was a candidate but was also a recently discharged psychiatricpatienL Hospital officials were impressed by Gorda's willingness to consider the young woman for a job. Instead of hiring a babysitter, Gorda got training and later I WJKl' fill III. fj vlr ill to many earned money for opening her Riverdale home to people who needed a safe place to live and could benefit from the support of somebody who cared. She took in four clients at a time. Many lived with her for years.

"I was the first in Edmonton and the first in Alberta," Gorda said. Over the years, a network of 35 approved homes grew into place around Gorda, under the umbrella of the Noimem Alberta Approved Home Operators' Association. Today, the association is one part of a provincewide community support system that has helped thousands of hospital patients move back into the community. Tonight, 50 colleagues and friends will help celebrate Gor-da'sretirementwithapartyatthe Norwood Legion. Gorda is 75.

She retired at the end of June. A warm send-off is most appropriate, said Sharon Setera, president of the home operators' association. "She's been the monarch of this association and I think she truly deserves to be acknowledged for company owner, recently attended a meeting of the See You In Athens Fund in Toronto. He became so enthusiastic he decided to open a chapter here. The non-profit fund follows in the footsteps of similar funds established to support athletes who competed in last year's Salt Lake Winter Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Some 60 executives from large corporations were at the Toronto meeting to hear guest speaker Silken Laumann, the world champion and Olympic bronze rowing medallist. "During my career, there were many people I trained with who couldn't deal with the poverty of being an athlete," she said. CBC sports commentator Brian Williams was also there with the message: "We must remember Canadian athletes during the years between the Games, not simply when they are front and centre during the actual Olympics." support had a full field of 800 participants," he says. "We never did print an entry form." He adds: "We also have 575 people on our waiting list. There's no point in taking other names.

There's no chance they'll get a spot. For safety reasons, we can't expand the field." The event, the Canadian long-course national championships this year, is a two-kilometre swim, a 90-kilometre bike ride and a 21-kilometre run. The sad thing, says Church, is that there are no foreign entries. "We had 18 countries represented two years ago, but it fell to six countries last year because spots filled up so fast. 'This year, it's an all-Canadian field because athletes knew they had to be fast off the mark to get in." The reason for the event's success? "Volunteers," says Church.

"Most of the 550 return every year. People comment on how enthusiastic they are." Marg Gorda looked after many mentally disabled people in her home for her years of true devotion to these clients," Setera said. Gorda played a special role and helped eliminate the stigma that once caused families to hide relatives with mental illness in institutions, she said. "She is a very special lady. She has been a mother to so many clients.

She has clients who still phone her firom20 years ago. She fought fortheir human rights 100 percent." Gorda remembers being a bit nervous at first. But those feelings wore off. Her memories of the experience are rich. "I had more successes than failures.

I am just so happy that I did it. It was very rewarding." Most of her residents were men with schizophrenia. She made sure they took their medications and encouraged them to work, providing lunches she still describes with pride. Several residents stayed with her for more than a decade and are now in their 40s and have RRSPs, made them save money," she said. rpedersenthejournal.canwest.com -H ft Nick Lees Schmoozing A big supporter of the fund is Canadian International Olympic Committee member Paul Henderson, onrecord as saying sending Canadian athletes to next year's Olympics was like sending fodder to be annihilated.

"Athens will be our athletes' Dieppe," he said. Bertie says athletes can apply to the fund and a board of directors will decide how funds should be dispersed. "Funds go direcdy to the athlete, with no administration involved," he says. Former Olympic athlete vows to help Albertans compete system ED KAISFR, THE J0URNAI 32 years. in Athens The event has attracted the best -triathletes in the world, including Stony Plain's own Ironman world champion Heather Fuhr.

Her 1993 women's record of four hours and 14 minutes has never been threatened. SUPPLIED. H1F Olympic champion Silken Laumann is a big supporter of the See You In Athens Fund. STRUCK CAMPERS Edmonton marathoner Sandy Jacobsen is training in Italy with hopes of making the Canadian Olympic team. But husband John Jacobsen says her little bit of success (she finished 28th in the recent Paris World Championships) is costing the couple $30,000 annually.

"We've got to do what we can to help our elite athletes," says Jacobsen. "In the Netherlands, there's now a Web site where you can pay to see their top athletes naked. Surely we can find a better way of doing things?" Bertie plans a local fundraiser to support our athletes. And he wants to hear from those interested in helping. Call him at 909-2851 or e-mail gbertieshaw.ca Too successful A sensitive problem faces Wade Church, race director of Stony Plain's formerly cosmopolitan Great White North Triathlon.

"We opened registration online last month and in nine days we MMiUMtMi mum MAJOR CANADIAN Gord Bertie creating fund to directly assist competitors An Edmonton athlete who has competed at two Olympic Games is introducing a fund to help Alberta athletes win medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. "Surveys show nearly 70 per cent of Canadian athletes live below the poverty line," says Gord Bertie, who wrestled for Canada at the 1972 Munich and the 1976 Montreal Olympics. "Do we expect them to beg? They are competing against some professional athletes earning $100,000 or more annually." He adds: "Our people can't afford proper nutrition, housing, equipment, or even basic essentials, such as a coach. Can we expect them to work and then train five hours every day to bring glory to the Maple Leaf?" Bertie, a commercial real estate BERNINA active 145 Sewing speed: The sewing speed can be reduced for intricate and demanding sewing projects. Needle stop: Select up or down.

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