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My opinion of the Caterpillar/CAW battle is this. The problem both sides face is the fact that our governments are not making it easier for us to compete in the world economy for manufacturing. I have worked in automotive manufacturing for almost 15 years and have experienced first hand the devastation lay-offs have caused myself and many other people in our community. Canada's high dollar and virtually all other associated costs keep going up year after year, especially the cost of steel, the main ingredient in automotive manufacturing and one of
St. Thomas/Elgin Weekly News - January 26, 2012 7
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the highest. Unions try to fight companies for higher wages, benefits, pensions, etc., but companies get their manufacturing done in other low-cost countries practically everywhere. The southern states, for example, pay workers as low as $12/hr, skilled trades $20/ hr. And the super low-cost countries have governments who subsidize the cost of steel and highly efficient manufacturing (CNC) machines to build the product fast. Does our government do this? Not to the same extent at all. Companies can't compete because they will lose their shirts if they try do the job
Need to get a passport? New location for Passport Canada On Monday, January 30, 2012, the London Passport Canada office will relocate to Cherryhill Village Mall, 301 Oxford Street West, Suite 76. This will allow Passport Canada to offer faster
for less. It is my opinion that company/union battles are in a fight that they both will lose, unless our government steps up to the plate and helps us Canadians be more competitive. We have no advantage anymore and unless we can make profound improvements to our efficiencies, and do the jobs better, faster and cheaper we will lose manufacturing altogether. Does the government want automotive manufacturing in Canada anymore? I think manufacturing is an honorable career and important to our economy. They are all smart people, why can't everyone see this too? Mike Schaap, Tool and Die Maker St. Thomas
HealthTalk
Steve Bond, BSc.Phm., CDE, FASCP
Pharmacy Operation Manager
No Joking, It’s Time to Quit Smoking Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” It is estimated that around 19 percent of people aged 15 and older are regular users of tobacco products in Canada. Worldwide, approximately 10 million cigarettes are purchased a minute, 15 billion are sold each day, and upwards of 5 trillion are produced and used on an annual basis. Holy Smokes! Forty years have passed since the first landmark Surgeon General's report on smoking and health. Yet, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in North America. Kicking the cigarette habit is a popular New Year's resolution, but, even among those who actually attempt to follow through on their resolution, the majority will be smoking again by the time the next New Year's Day rolls around. The reasons for quitting are many. Socially, it is becoming less and less acceptable to smoke and many venues have become smoke free. The cost of smoking can also be significant. The direct costs (that is how much
service and easier access to customers across London and surrounding areas. Business hours at the new location will remain 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. The current location at 400 York Street will close its doors permanently at 4:30pm on Friday, January 27, 2012.
you spend on smoking) would be over $100,000 for someone with a 40 year history. The health benefits cannot be ignored. Soon after you quit, your circulation begins to improve, and your blood pressure starts to return to normal. Your sense of smell and taste return and breathing starts to become easier. In the long term, giving up tobacco can help you live longer and your risk of getting cancer decreases with each year you stay smokefree. Sounds like a hopeless epidemic? There is help. According to a recent research paper, 12-month quit rate for smokers who did not use assistance (counseling, drugs, etc.) is a only 4-7 percent. However, with assistance of some kind, that success rate more than doubles to 15 percent. While 15 percent still seems low, it represents a doubling of success rates. Speak to a health care professional and get the assistance that will help you to become more successful. Take care of yourselves and each other. For more information, check out our blog: yurekpharmacy.wordpress.com
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