Plan ahead, stay safe over holiday season — December 17

As the holiday season gears up, ICBC is reminding people to make safety a priority and ensure they have a plan to avoid drinking and driving when they are celebrating.

"Some people still don't get the message that drinking and driving is not acceptable. Those drivers put everyone at risk. Alcohol-related crashes continue to claim more lives every year than homicides, fires and drowning combined," said Laurie Baker, ICBC road safety manager.

"We're serious about getting drinking drivers off the road."

In 2003, there were 102 victims killed in traffic collisions where alcohol was a contributing factor, according to statistics based on police-reported crashes.

"When we can prevent those crashes, we're saving lives, reducing injuries, and helping to keep insurance rates low and stable," said Baker.

Police will be out in force once again to help ensure that roads stay safe. CounterAttack enforcement checks have been part of the holiday season on B.C. roads since 1977. At that time, more than 300 deaths each year were attributed to alcohol-related crashes.

People who plan to celebrate should keep the following tips in mind:

• If you're going to be drinking, think ahead about how you'll be getting home. Plan to use transit, call a cab, arrange for a designated driver or call a friend or family member for a ride. Never get in the car with an impaired driver.
• When you're hosting an event, be sure to provide a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, and have plenty of food available. Make sure your guests don't go over their limit.
• In some communities, volunteer drivers will take you home, along with your vehicle, for a donation to a local charity. Operation Red Nose will operate this year in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley, Mission, North and West Vancouver, Surrey, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Prince George.

Drivers are also reminded that new measures have been introduced targeting impaired driving. Enhanced enforcement tools, increased penalties and rehabilitation for impaired drivers are part of the legislation that was announced earlier this year.

For more information contact:
Doug Henderson (604) 982-1332
Moira Wellwood (604) 982-2480

ICBC reaches agreement with its union — December 13

ICBC and its employees, represented by the Canadian Office and Professional Employees (COPE) Local 378, have agreed to a new collective agreement. The agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2003 and will remain in effect until June 30, 2006.

"We are pleased that ICBC management and staff can move forward as a team to focus on meeting the needs of our customers and keeping rates low and stable," said Paul Taylor, ICBC president and CEO.

The agreement is based on recommendations developed by mediator Brian Foley in November. The recommendations were accepted by ICBC's Board of Directors and were ratified by union members through a secret ballot vote, the results of which were released on December 10, 2004.

Highlights of the new agreement include the potential for employees to earn gainsharing awards based on specific corporate performance targets being achieved, and the potential for ICBC to introduce extended hours of service. Consistent with the overall public sector bargaining mandate, there is no change in base rates of pay.

"We now have an improved ability to adapt to customer expectations," said Taylor. "We appreciate the role that our employees play in ICBC's success, and this agreement recognizes their contributions."

COPE Local 378 represents over 4,200 ICBC employees throughout B.C.

For more information contact:
Moira Wellwood (604) 982-2480
Doug Henderson (604) 982-1332

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