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By JIM FOX
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 27, 2000
If Air Canada pilots reject new pact, strike possible
Anxious travelers are considering alternate plans as Air Canada pilots could be on strike by Labor Day weekend.
The Air Canada Pilots Association is considering a proposed contract from federal mediator Bruce Outhouse, a Halifax, Nova Scotia, lawyer, that recommends pay raises of 13 percent over four years and improved job security. Airline executives said Friday they accept the proposed deal.
If rejected by the association, the 2,200 pilots could legally leave their jobs next Friday to back contract demands.
Travelers are paying a high price in "stress and nervousness" in the second labor dispute at Air Canada in two years, said consumer lobbyist Harry Gow, president of Transport 2000.
Growing public anger will likely prompt federal politicians to move quickly to order pilots back to work if they strike, he said.
A 13-day strike in September 1998 grounded all planes and cost the airline $133-million in lost business.
The pilots want to close the wage gap with their U.S. counterparts at United, American and Delta who are paid about 30 percent more. They're demanding a raise of 14.25 percent over three years.
Seeking closer ties with Canada, Mexican President-elect Vicente Fox met for two days in Ottawa with Canadian politicians and business leaders.
Fox wants to expand the North American Free Trade Agreement that many Canadian human rights groups blame for increasing poverty in Mexico.
He also spoke with Prime Minister Jean Chretien about developing more open borders between Canada, Mexico and the United States and creating a trade environment similar to that in the European Union with free cross-border movement of workers.
Fox also said he plans to create a commission made up of "people with high moral values" to fight corruption and crime.
Dr. Suzanne Killinger-Johnson, 37, who jumped in front of a Toronto subway train with her infant son, died last weekend of her injuries. The psychologist's 6-month-old son, Cuyler, was killed instantly on Aug. 11. Doctors say the woman suffered from a severe form of postpartum psychotic depression.
Crusading retired coroner Morton Shulman has died in Toronto after a 17-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Shulman, also a former New Democratic member of the Ontario Legislature, a TV talk show host and newspaper financial columnist and author, was 75.
The Conference Board of Canada predicts that oil-rich Alberta and Newfoundland will lead the country in economic growth this year. "High energy prices are propelling Alberta and Newfoundland to the top of the growth rankings," said Peter Hall, associate board director.
U.S.-based American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is buying the Thriftys, Braemar and National Logistics Services divisions of Canadian clothing retailer Dylex for $110-million (Canadian).
A strong U.S. currency pushed Canada's dollar lower to 67.37 cents U.S. Friday. The U.S. dollar returned $1.4843 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.
There's no change in the Bank of Canada key interest rate of 6 percent or the 7.5 percent prime lending rate.
The Toronto Stock Exchange 300 Index remains at record highs, reaching 11,246 points Friday while the Canadian Venture Exchange index was higher at 3,416 points.
Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 6, 8, 14, 17, 32 and 47; bonus 10. (Aug. 19) 2, 11, 14, 22, 25 and 34; bonus 6.
A youngster whose mother abandoned him in a Calgary supermarket was returned to Washington state Friday. Avery McCarty, 4, with a social worker and his Canadian foster mother, traveled by Alberta government aircraft to Seattle to be introduced to his new foster family. The mother, Susanne McCarty of Port Angeles, Wash., was found after an international search and blamed depression for her actions.
British Columbia's much-improved economy will eliminate the province's anticipated spending deficit and result in a balanced budget for the first time since 1990. Production at Quebec's only General Motors plant will stop Wednesday for one week because of a surplus of 1,800 vehicles. The 1,200 workers in Boisbriand, near Montreal, produce Camaros and Firebirds.