Our city is making national headlines over the actions of a Yellowknife mother.

Mary Kosta launched a hunger strike Feb. 29 supporting 59 retired Giant miners set to lose 25 per cent of their pensions. She's also fasting on behalf of 250 workers who have yet to receive a severance package after October's layoff from the bankrupt mine.

Kosta's actions have hit a nerve both locally as well as nationally.

The more we wade into this situation the clearer it becomes that, increasingly, corporations are bailing on their responsibility through bankruptcy. Yes, this affects all Canadians.

But before we get all bogged down in a national review of the legal rights companies may have over the collective rights of workers, let's remember what we have on our hands here and now.

In just over two weeks time, 59 workers will lose at least 25 per cent of their pensions. Men like Kurt Lenigher. Retired after working 27 years at Giant, Lenigher continues to make Yellowknife his home. No, he's not basking in Hawaiian splendour or retired down south, he stays here because his roots are here. Now, after years of hard work, he's told his pension cheque will barely cover the fuel bill.

So, what can be done?

First of all, this was a non-contributory pension fund -- workers were not privy to what was going on with the fund, let alone any say in the destiny of the pension. Secondly, DIAND, who brokered the sale of Giant -- they actually owned Giant before transferring the reins to Miramar -- was well aware of this shortfall.

The bottom line is that these workers' collective agreement, protected by federal law, is proving futile.

Why shouldn't the federal government, which earned millions off Giant (and stands to make substantial sums off Miramar), as well as thousands of dollars in taxes from these workers, ensure Yellowknifers like Lenigher get what they deserve?

Catering to people with disabilities is a pain. Making buildings, offices, stores and streets accessible is costly and sometimes tricky, upsetting the most efficient designs.

Worse, often the notion that building plans should include accessibility features comes after all the people without disabilities have made up their minds. The City of Yellowknife is suffering this pain over the recent purchase of four transit buses suitable only for able-bodied riders.

Too expensive Councillor Bob Brooks said, an argument we appreciate considering the city's willingness to spend freely in other areas. This wasn't exactly a city expenditure, though it was a purchase made by a company that was awarded the municipal busing contract which included no provisions for accessibility.

Trouble is, in a democracy, which is also a pain, people have rights which public institutions must observe. Disabilities of any description, whether due to genetics, accidents or time of life don't affect those rights, anything makes them more critical.

We believe City Hall is guilty of not including accessibility features either in the busing contract or providing other municipal solutions. We also believe they are not alone. The majority of Yellowknifers are able-bodied and accessibility issues are low on their list. Too often, it's not until we join the ranks of people with disabilities that we wonder why more has not been done.

On this issue, city council is probably reflecting the priorities of the majority. The inaccessible buses rolling down our streets show just how much the public and politicians need to be educated on the right of public accessibility.