Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 29/00) - "We're trying to create an atmosphere of peers teaching peers. And that's what happens here, basically."

So says Steve Petersen, plant chair of the Canadian AutoWorkers 2304, of the Giant Mine Transition Centre.

"There's a whole different interaction between an equal telling you how to do something, as opposed to a teacher," Petersen said Monday.

The centre was established in October 1999, as more than 200 workers were laid off at the bankrupt Giant mine.

"It was set up as a result of discussions with the CAW Adjustment Centre in Toronto, working in conjunction with HRDC and ECE (the Department of Education, Culture and Employment) here in town," Petersen said.

"This is a common occurrence when there's a major plant shutdown."

Petersen said the miners have found it easier using the centre because they're with people they know, and who are in the same situation.

"They can come here and talk to people who know them. We are aware of their situations, we know what their expectations and limitations are," Petersen said. "The hall's pretty well open seven days a week right now."

He said he's noticed workers helping each other with various tasks, such as using the computers, and that often workers will pick up on things without even realizing it.

The centre offers several computers hooked up to job banks.

"They come in, they regularly check the job banks here every day. If there's something they want, they just tell us," Petersen said.

"We then in turn write up the request and then send it on to the ECE, so by the time it gets to ECE, we've already done all the screening and the major paperwork."

Clients can send faxes at the centre, which boasts a general resume writing service and has helped arrange training course such as first aid and WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Material Information System).

"We've gotten people into conflict resolution situations and had financial seminars," Petersen said.

"We've facilitated in getting together major training programs and talking to employers about taking apprenticeships on, anything we can to get them to work."

The centre was originally given funding to last until March 31, the end of the current fiscal year.

"Last week (ECE) Minister Jake Ootes sent us a letter indicating that they would be instructing his senior staff to give us a three-month extension, which we appreciate," Petersen said.

"We feel still there's going to be a requirement for further time, depending on where our guys are."

Petersen said that a typical transition centre is set up for at least 12 months.

Current status of Giant mine workers

Out of town: 50

Out of town on courses (but planning to return): 12

Whereabouts unknown: 50

Rehired at Giant: 43

Working at Lupin: 5 or 6

Working at Con mine: 5 or 6

Started own business under self-employment EI program: 8 or 9

After training, have good chance of working in Fort Liard: 27

On EI: 150

Those who enrolled in training on topics such as WHMIS, computers, first aid: 75

Giant clients who have or are using Giant Mine Transition Centre: 195

Others who have or are using the Centre: 35

(Source: Transition Centre)