LETTERS TO THE EDITOR..
Miners' stories a pension guide;
Linda MacNeil Cape Breton Post
Cape Breton Post 07-09-2003
Miners' stories a pension guide
Byline: Linda MacNeil Cape Breton Post
Edition: Final
Section: Comment
Type: Letter
At the New Waterford Credit Union I bought a book called A Collection of
Coal Miners' Stories, compiled by the young students of Saint Agnes
Elementary School in New Waterford.
These stories are about the trials, tribulations and personal accounts of
the coal miners and their families -- grandfathers, fathers, brothers and
uncles. I cannot thank these children and their principal, Ron Desveaux,
enough for this little book. Having been raised in a mining family myself, I
had always heard the stories of life in the mine. But, really, the
technology confused me. Thanks to the children who interviewed their family
members, I understand a lot more now.
I also understand why some men couldn't work an hour in the mine and why men
would give anything to go underground again.
I would like to tell the miners of my awe and admiration for all of them.
The sights they have seen and the extremely dangerous work totally overwhelm
me.
It's no wonder the miners are rankled by the callous comments of the
personality-deprived Joe Shannon, the former chairman of Devco. The most
danger Mr. Shannon ever faced was probably a ride in his limo. What chance
did he ever face of being crushed by a fallen stone or dying of black lung?
After reading these stories I can't believe that anyone could deny these
miners what is rightfully theirs. But now the federal Liberal government
says these pensioners and their widows are not entitled to the $35 million
in pension
surpluses.
The government says it is needed for the reclamation process. But why, when
Devco was formed to shut down the mines, didn't it put aside money of its
own for this?
And where do MPs Mark Eyking and Rodger Cuzner stand on this? Right with
their party, needless to say. They are running scared, hoping that nothing
negative touches them.
Anyone who believes the provincial Liberals are any different is sadly
mistaken. They are all fat cats who believe in saving their own hides, not
doing what is right or just for their lowly constituents.
The provincial election campaign is underway, and the federal one will
probably be next year. It would do my heart good to see the miners and their
families go to the polls and turf the Liberals out.
Let the Liberals stand more than a few arm's-lengths away from their
salaries. Let the miners win this one last hurrah.
Linda MacNeil
Nicholson Avenue, New Waterford
(Copyright CAPE BRETON POST 2003)
Start Page: A6
Date: 07-09-2003
THANKS TO CAROL MACLEAN FOR THIS