🚀 go-pugleaf

Well, they've done it again.  After making a laughingstock of
themselves by passing out flyers in front of the Mr. Tubesteak
guy's little grill out at UBC warning of impending doom to be
had by eating a 'privitized hotdog,' CUPE local 116 has finally
succeeded in running the poor guy off campus.

A little background:  The Mr. Tubesteak operation on the UBC
campus was run by I must say one of the happiest chaps that
I have ever met.  And an enterprising fellow - he owns his own
cart, and pays a fee to be part of the franchise.  He works
rain or shine, warm or cold, out in the open by the bus loop
serving up the best darn tube steaks on all of Point Grey,
always with a smile, and if you're in the mood, some friendly
conversation.

CUPE 116, worried that actually giving students the possibility
of buying some food fit for human consumption from someone
with good personal hygene and a friendly smile to boot might
take business away from their own stagnant unionized cafeterias,
launched a grievance.

The university I am told, not wanting to have to take this case go
to binding arbitration that might result in weakening their hand
re. outside workers, caved in.

Where do students and UBC denziens in general stand?  First they
took away our choice between Pepsi and Coke.  Then, the prices
of soft drinks from the machines went up ten cents all over campus.

Doesn't anybody seem to care about the Evils of Monopolies?
Union monopolies, Coke monopolies, they all accomplish the same
thing: less choice, higher prices, poorer service.

What about the imorality of this whole sordid affair?  Judging
by the success of his operation, the Mr. Tubesteak guy was providing
a service that people really valued.  While it's to be expected from
CUPE 116, it's astounding to me to see the administration punishing
excellence through hard work and initiative, while rewarding sloth,
laziness, and back room dealing.

Why is it that Special Interest Groups seem to run everything on
this campus?  Doesn't anybody realize that there are students out
here?  This shocking lack of respect for student choice really
should be addressed.

I'm not sure what to do about it.  Perhaps the best thing
to do would be to email Dr. Strangway's office messages
expressing our disapproval.  His email address is presubc@unixg.ubc.ca
If you are using Netscape, click here mailto:presubc@unixg.ubc.ca

Let's keep this guy on our campus.

Michael Kyba