Crazytrade,

The first issue is that the negotiators will negotiate with a "win win" situation in mind. The parties on both sides want this resolved with their various issues taken care of.

I do not believe that this is to that point where we need call the U.N....:) As it stands it is local and IMHO is should remain local. There is no reason to call anyone in on this. The First Nations have representation and so do the exploration plays. I know some of these people and find them to be of strong character. If there is any doubt or mistrust it would originate from the First Nations and be directed toward the plays. The plays are the ones attempting to save money. Once you begin raising the issue to another level, things never seem to get done. The cool heads are on the ground and in our offices. Let them deal with this. I am sure it will get resolved much quicker.

The other factor is honesty. If both sides are shooting straight with no B.S. there will be no problems. Our First Nations aren't going to ruin this "cash cow". If its anyone it will be the whites.

Let me advise you of the changes I have noticed recently to union negotiations. It seems to me that negotiations occurr with the local. Every union has the hired guns. Then things go on forever and oftentimes feelings are hurt and damage is done. Look at the U.S. The unions are running a car company or two I believe.

When I heard Buzz Hargrove was coming to town over an issue, I'd make it a point to go and watch his antics. He would fly in to town, kick the desk, knock over a chair, threaten everyone in the room and then say "this better be rectified when I get back" lol

Now its union and management in one room coniving how to keep a union shop while they lay off all the labourers. So if you want a job at the university here, you must pay union dues yet they do nothing for you because there are only 5 or 6 employees left. Economics dictate that there are not enough employees to warrant a fight over a grievance so the unions collect money and do nothing.

As I said, keep it local.

Don