Having read the March 29 letter from Shirley Christmas (Even Thinking Expulsion Puts JAG on bad Course), I feel compelled to voice my support. Discrimination in any form is unacceptable and I believe the ethics committee of JAG is discriminating against the employees of Sydney Environmental Resources Ltd., and their families.
United Steelworkers of America members who are employees of SERL, and their families, are threatened with expulsion from JAG. It is perceived by a few that they are in conflict because they are employed by a Crown corporation utilizing one type of technology -- a technology, by the way, bought and paid for with our tax dollars. A democracy exists only when we allow opposing opinions to be debated and when we defend the right of an individual to express an opinion no matter how strongly we disagree.
In 1986, when the province announced it would close the coke ovens, it also agreed (along with the federal government) that displaced steelworkers would get first right of refusal to jobs they were capable of performing. In late 1991, three years after the coke ovens closed, we had our first workers on the job at the Sydney tar ponds cleanup.
Although some opponents of incineration would like the public to believe otherwise, the incinerator operated up to specifications and exceeded environmental emission standards. But nobody had figured out how to transfer the sludge from the tar ponds to the incinerators on an ongoing basis.
The province took steps to mothball the operation and called for tenders to dispose of the tar ponds. When the government realized the cost would be in excess of $100 million it suggested encapsulation instead. This alternative met strong opposition, and shortly thereafter JAG was formed to come up with a method of cleanup.
Two and a half years later our community is still awaiting a decision. Residents of Frederick Street live in fear of the cesspool in their backyard.
The USWA called on the government to do an epidemiological study on cancer in the area but to date JAG has not delivered. Our union is in discussion to have the study proceed without JAG.
USWA called on government to do a full environmental assessment of the incinerator to determine if it is capable of cleaning up the tar ponds. The government has stated that the matter is in the hands of JAG; JAG has refused our request, saying it must examine more than 100 proposals for various technologies.
Conservative Leader John Hamm irresponsibly suggested we should close Sysco and put the workers on remediation projects to bridge them to pensions. We have been pushing since 1986, but have fewer than 25 workers providing maintenance to the incinerators and security. How would Dr. Hamm propose that we get work for some 600 steelworkers who don't qualify for pensions? He should come to Cape Breton and wave his magic wand.
A handful of individuals inside the JAG process seem intent on silencing opinions not in compliance with their own. They are undermining the hard work and dedication of the majority who just want to come up with a process to clean up the mess.
We have tried to work with, and within, JAG. I find it very unfortunate to have to agree with Ms. Christmas that the process is irreparably tainted. In my mind at least, JAG should be dissolved.
JAG can choose to expel steelworkers or not; it's JAG's choice. But no one will stop us from voicing our opinions and trying to convince others that what we are saying makes sense.
Unfortunately, even if JAG doesn't uphold the ethics committee decision, resignations by community-minded individuals like Fran Morrison, Brenda Tattrie and Shirley Christmas make the process unsalvageable.
John Kingston, staff representative
United Steelworkers of America
Atlantic Provinces District 6, Sydney History of cleanup much revised in JAG membership controversy[Back to Letters to the Editor]
History of cleanup much revised in JAG membership controversy
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