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Strike ends but not the hard feelings John and Sharon Bergen, along with Alexander (seated) and Gregory, feel the playground at Waterloo Park is in dire need ot a lacelll‘t. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Despite a tentative weekend settlement, the president of the local letter carriers union says it will be a long time before labor-management relationships return to normal. Tom Oabis says the violent 19-day strike caused a lot of hard feelings between the two sides, with neither seeming to want to make the first move towards reconciliation. "The hard feelings will take a long time to get over. Nobody's ready to kiss ass either way," said the local 122 president. Oakes says he is happy - with the settlement and expects it to be ratified quickly when it comes to a vote later this Chronicte Staff A Waterloo couple believes immediate Icllon should be taken to upgrade the plnygmund feiiities at Waterloo? Put John and Sharon Bergen of as Dorset St. are concerned that "declining conditions” at the Waterloo Park playground are forcing many [amines to spend time together elsewhere, specifically Kltchener's Victoria Park. "it really is a drastic change when com pared to Victoria Park," and Mr. Bergen. "When we tell Alexander (the couple's tour-year-out son) that we're going “to the park, he always asks if we can go to the big park (Victoria)." . in addition to the poor condition of the playground equipment, the couple are puzzled by the adjoining wading pool, which they claim is never more than half full. On Friday afternoon the pool was empty. Sindi Minnes of 77 Dorset St., along with her children Jonathon, 3, and Kevin, six months, sat in on the interview as a show of support. Another concern is thé bonditlon of the playground alter a rainfall. V "tt"s a mudhole." said Mr. Bergen. "Not a pleasant place to be at all." To a lesser extent the couple would also like something done about the park's often-criti- cized zoo. Their suggestion is to transform the cages into a petting-zoo, similar to whht happened at Riverdale Zoo in Toronto. “It seems ludicrous to have a beautiful park like that and let it deteriorate. (The recent) Sounds of Summer festival showed how well "A lot of people feel the same way about the park but no one has taken the initiative to do anything about it," said Minnes. Loft, In 1llfatterRto they colon-M Canada’s mommy with a porno. down King Stud-M 'tqrtyattttoUrtttmrstty of WW. uh». at Vim Pauloomortho - entertain“ new. Parents call for upgrade of Waterloo Park month or early next. However, when discussing the settlement-which many claim to be a clear union victory-Oakes' bitterness shines through. "It sure makes you wonder why they didn't give us what we wanted in the first place instead of all the bull (expletive) they gave us," said Oakes. The letter carriers won on the vital job security issues that were the root of the strike. However, they did give ground on a number of work rules that will allow the post office to operate more efficiently. 7 Approximately 150 workers who Were fired or suspended during the strike for violent actions will be reinstated. _ WAYERLOO emu. “MOOAY. JULY 0. INT - PAGE 3 The playground. next to Lions' pool, consists of two slides. monkey bars, three swinging horses, three teeter~totter-type pieces. four baby swings and a spinning merry-go-round, The latter piece has a potentially dangerous slab of concrete protuding from the bottom, the parents say. (Input can” be used.” "i think it's the same equipment that was there when I was a kid. They're (city officials; talking about "ems and other large projects at the expense of a simple playground," said Mr. Bergen. They would litre to see the park landscaped and the equipment replaced with the more modern "creative" style. In fact It probably is. Whitey Kurschinski, Waterioo's community services' park manag- ers, says the equipment is approximately 25 years-old. "But I wouldn't call it outdated. A lot of people still want that sort of equipment over the creative type. It probably needs a little paint, but it's servicable," he said. As for the wading pool, says Kurschinski. it is often closed for health reasons. Kurschinski was surprised by the criticism and said he has not heard any similar complaints for a "long time." Waterloo will likely do a thorough report on the park this fail after city council reviews its parks and recreation master plan, said Kurs- chinski. Kurschinski admits there are minor drain- age problems but said steps were taken last summer to rectify the situation and to date "it seemed to have worked." Addressing the safety aspect he said "kids use it everyday and I don't hear of any prob lems." [ And as Canada Post vowed throughout the strike, the mail did not pile up. Oakes says service is "smooth and normal", and that the amounts of mail being delivered are "no larger than normal." With the situation apparantly under control, attention has begun to focus on a possible upcoming strike by the inside workers. Both sides are apparantly gear- ing up for a possible strike in August, with Canada Post warning the union not to expect the same deals given to the letter carriers. According to Oakes, Canada Post has "Nliy trained" people ready to step in in the event of a walkout.