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KELOWNA FALCONS fell short in their bid to reach the playoffs in the West Coast Baseball League despite their 28-26 record.
A LOCAL tourism graduate from Okanagan College had an unexpected view of how the other half lives while participating in a unique student exchange program in Australia recently.
THE UNITED WAY is looking for the public’s photographs illustrating social change as part of a new contest it has launched to bring awareness to its brand: Change Starts Here.
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THURSDAY August 9, 2012 The Central Okanagan’s Best-Read Newspaper www.kelownacapnews.com
BCGEU job action hits Kelowna Kelowna’s Powick Road was one of four areas in the province being picketed by members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union Tuesday. About 30 members of the Ministry of Labour, Agriculture, Health and Environment office took part in job action during working hours. Approximately 170 other members from offices in Surrey, 100 Mile House and Campbell River also took part in Tuesday’s strike. Byron Goerz, component chairperson of the environment, technical and operational services with BCGEU, said the goal of Tuesday’s job action was to make all of B.C. aware of the current labour dispute between the union and the government. “We want to draw the public’s attention that we’re just looking for a fair settlement,” said Goerz. “We’re picking targeted areas where we can remind folks that we don’t have a contract.” Goerz said that the BCGEU is eager to get back to the bargaining table to sort out a deal. “The last offer we put on the table was a cost of living increase, plus one
per cent,” he said. “We’re at a bit of a loss why we can’t come to an agreement, especially given that we’ve put on the table a number of different ways to increase government revenues that would more than pay for what we’re asking.” Goerz said that the public feedback was mostly positive on Tuesday. “I haven’t seen anything negative. We had some honking and some waving. “We do our own polling about what we’re asking—within our membership and also in the general public—and our polling shows that (the public) is willing to support a reasonable settlement for our membership.” Those who picketed were all non-essential service workers. “We have a couple of conservation officers working out of this location, but they are essential services so they were on the job.” Goerz said he isn’t sure what the future holds for the BCGEU. “We don’t have a clear plan right now because what we’d really like to do is be back at the table. “I anticipate we’ll probably see some more targeted actions throughout the summer if we don’t get back to the table.” wpaterson @kelownacapnews.com
DOUG FARRROW/CAPITAL NEWS
WEST KELOWNA fire crews inspect the area of Shelter Bay Marina that was damaged by fire early Wednesday morning.
▼ MARINA
Two boats, gas bar damaged in Shelter Bay fire Wade Paterson STAFF REPORTER
Two boats and a small gas bar were destroyed at Shelter Bay Marina in West Kelowna early Wednesday morning. West Kelowna assistant fire chief Kerry Klonteig said the fire started shortly after 5 a.m. “There were no injuries. When crews got on scene, they knocked on a few of the boats
(near) the dock that was basically involved,” said Klonteig. “There were a couple boats that had occupants that were staying overnight and sleeping on their boat. They woke them up and took them out of harm’s way.” Four engines and 20 firefighters responded to the fire, which took about 40 minutes to knock down. Klonteig said two boats were affected by the fire.
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“One sailboat was basically destroyed. Another kind of antique cruiser boat had some damage on the one side that was exposed to the fire. “The small gas bar at the end of the dock was destroyed.” Investigators were at the scene Wednesday afternoon, trying to determine the cause of the fire. Klonteig said it is too early to determine whether or not the fire is suspicious in nature.
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