Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 28/00) - This retired Giant miner wants some answers.

Earlier this week, Don McNenly and other retired Giant workers sent a letter to Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

"Basically what we're after," McNenly said, "is requesting her support in getting the federal Liberal Party to bring forth government legislation to change the pension and bankruptcy acts."

As well, McNenly said, "We also requested our present pension fund be topped up 100 per cent and severance paid off to laid-off workers."

Since April 1, benefits in the underfunded hourly pension plan have been cut 25 per cent. As well, hundreds of workers laid off from the bankrupt mine last fall have yet to receive severance pay.

Blondin-Andrew has yet to return calls from Yellowknifer on the matter.

Earlier this month Blondin-Andrew discussed the possibility of introducing in the House of Commons a private member's bill which would address Giant issues. McNenly said Tuesday the pensioners are asking Blondin-Andrew whether or not she will table such a bill.

"She says she's sympathetic," McNenly said, "but we haven't seen nothing positive."

Blondin-Andrew has said that as a privy councillor, she may not legally be able to introduce such a bill, but that she would be willing to have another MP do so.

McNenly is open to this idea, especially if the MP is a Liberal.

"They're the ones in power," he said.

"We also sent a letter to Mr. Chretien, explaining the situation," McNenly said.

"It's just frustrating. We see all these millions that come out in the paper there that they're doling out here, there and everywhere," he said.

"They can't give a million or a million-and-a-half for a pension fund."

McNenly worked at Giant from August 1967 until he retired in March 1999. He said this past month his pension benefit dropped from $1,132 to $849.

"It's not indexed. I don't have a mortgage, so I'm in better shape than others, I guess, but it'll take a few months to see whether I can afford to stay here or not."