Yellowknife (Mar 17/00) - As a copy of a petition bearing more than 1,700 signatures was delivered to her constituency office Thursday, Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew was in the midst of a "concerted effort" to help Giant miners.

Blondin-Andrew (left) told Yellowknifer Wednesday that she, along with Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions) Jim Peterson, and Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Robert Nault, "have undertaken a concerted effort to investigate and deal with this issue of the pension funds."

"However, at this time we have absolutely nothing to disclose to the public," Blondin-Andrew added.

"It would be inappropriate for me to say anything just to appease the situation.

"I would like to be far more definitive, and there will come a time when I will be able to do that. The time is not now, unfortunately," she said.

"But we anticipate that with our efforts, we'll be able to say something within the next five or six days."

Members of the newly formed Citizens' Support Group delivered photocopies of a petition to Blondin-Andrew's constituency office.

The petition draws attention to the fact no severance has been given to 250 workers who were laid off from the bankrupt mine in October.

As well, retired Giant workers in the hourly pension plan are bracing for a 25 per cent reduction in their pensions, effective April 1.

The newly formed Citizens' Support Group began the petition last Friday with the intention of having it tabled in the House of Commons. The group had originally planned on sending it to Ottawa earlier this week.

Mary Kosta, the wife of a laid-off Giant miner, began a hunger strike Feb. 29 to support the miners. Reached at her home on Wednesday, Kosta said she was not planning to attend Thursday's presentation.

"I'm staying this week at home because I'm tired and I need to spend some time with my kids," Kosta said.

"I'm not a member of that Citizens' Support Group but I definitely support any efforts Canadians make on behalf of the pensioners here and the workers, for sure.

"As long as it's peaceful, yes, I support it."

Steve Petersen, plant chair of the Canadian AutoWorkers Local 2304, said the Citizens' Support Group did not think Blondin-Andrew could table the petition, as she is a member of the privy council. Petersen expected Pat Martin, NDP labour critic, would actually be the one introducing the petition once it went through the proper procedures.

"They have to be verified for authenticity purposes and I'm not sure how long that takes," Petersen said.

"At the earliest possible convenience it'll be tabled in the House."

The Citizens' Support Group met Wednesday evening to plan Thursday's presentation, and also future plans, Coun. Ben McDonald said.

"We're looking at trying to expand the campaign across the territories and also at the national level," McDonald explained.

Meanwhile, Kosta said she plans to continue fasting and that she is encouraged by all the support the miners have been getting. She said that since Friday about 400 letters have been delivered to Blondin-Andrew's constituency office.

Kosta noted that Martin made a statement in support of the miners Wednesday in the House of Commons.

As well, Yellowknife Mayor David Lovell, who was the first person to sign the petition, issued a statement Wednesday in support of the miners.