Vision_2014_01_16

Home care workers back on the job  gŏđŏ

editionap.ca

The union wanted changes to the vehicle maintenance allowance in the contract to help its members with the travel costs in- volved for their work. Personal care workers in rural areas often have to use their own vehicle to get to their clients. The union also wanted the paid-wages portion of the contract revised so that workers are paid for the travel time involved in getting to their clients. The RCCP had offered an 11-cent-an-hour

wage increase in a contract deal presented to union members during last year’s round of negotiations. While bargaining agents for both sides signed off on the proposed contract, the union local rejected it during a November meeting vote. Emanuel Carvalaho, SEIU vice-president, told the Vision during a Jan. 14 phone in- terview the arbitrator has now issued a new three-year contract for both sides to accept. It includes a phased in increase over two

years to the travel allowance for a total of 37 cents per kilometre when a careworker is on the road to a client. All Local 1 members will also receive two lump sum wage payments under the new contract. The first is retroactive to April 2013 when the old contract expired. The second covers the period from January to March 2014. SEIU staff will receive two 1.4 per cent wage increases as part of their contract. The first in 2014 and the second in 2015.

GREGGCHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca

Shut-ins and people with special needs have their personal service workers at their service again. SEIU Healthcare Local 1 and the Red Cross Care Partners (RCCP) reached an agreement on a new contract after an arbitrator got the two sides to work out their differences fol- lowing the Christmas holidays. The union represents 4500 personal care workers in Ontario who went on strike over a two-week period in December. In East- ern Ontario 771 SEIU members took turns picket lines in sub-zero temperatures in communities like Cornwall, Kemptville, and Rockland.

CARLSBAD SPRINGS | Kids and adults who love skating outdoors will be able to do whenever they want to now this winter at Puddle rink pump project Carlsbad Springs.

chase of a water pump to support creation of a new puddle rink at Harkness Park, next to the community centre on Piperville Road. “The puddle rink in Carlsbad Springs is an important community facility for Carlsbad Springs,” stated Blais. “In the past few years, this rink has greatly enhanced the village’s winter carnival and has been a focal point of this event. I am so glad that the water infra- structure will finally be resolved.” The community park has had no perma- nent or reliable water service for the puddle rink for several years. Last year a group of volunteers spent hours last winter using garden hoses attached to an on-site well to try and build the puddle rink. A new water pump will eliminate that problem. “The installation of a pump system pro- vides a permanent solution for the creation of a puddle rink at Harkness Park,” stated Denis Labreche, Carlsbad Springs Commu- nity Association president. “This initiative confirms that Harkness park is now the hub for sports and leisure activities and events in our community. This is great news for families and users of our outdoor rink in Carlsbad Springs.” Money offered for municipal water protection FINCH | The provincial government has money available to help with municipal water protection projects. Municipalities in the Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Region (RSNSPR) may qualify for grants from the Ontario Source Protection Municipal Implementation Fund (OSPMI). The provincial government is providing the funds through the Raisin- South Nation Source Protection Committee (RSNSP), which includes representatives from the two regional conservation author- ities. Eligible municipalities could receive from $50,000 to $70,000 in OSPMI funds to help with their local source water protection plans to protect their drinking water sup- plies. An extra $15,000 in collaborative funding may also be available for munici- palities which are working together on joint source protection plans. The RSNSP will schedule meetings before the end of the year with municipal coun- cils and staff in the Raisin River and South Nation River watersheds to talk about how OSPMI funds can help leverage grants for related projects and programs.

Cumberland Ward Coun. Stephen Blais has secured a $14,000 grant towards pur-

Heritage

Public School

Our Heritage Public School Community INFORMATION SESSION JANUARY 23, 2014 We would like to invite all Kindergarten parents who are thinking about enrolling their child/children this spring to consider dropping by Heritage Public School on January 23rd at 6:30 in our school library . Heritage is a school in the Ottawa-Carleton District School board. We would also like to invite all other parents who are new to the area or those that simply want to visit our school to come as well. Heritage Public School serves the communities of Vars, Sarsfield, Navan and Cumberland. Our heritage community benefits from having a day care attached to our school for before and after school care. Heritage Public School is also served with a vibrant supportive School Council comprised of parents and staff that are involved in all aspects

Mission/Vision Statement Where City Meets Fields

of the school. This school community is dedicated to strengthening educational opportunities and partnerships with the community and ensuring that the school provides a safe and nurturing environment for all children. Presently our staff is putting a big focus into our math program and technology program. Among many things, our school is proud of our gr. 6/7/8 music/band program and our athletic program. There are a host of activities that our student enjoy during the winter months among them floor hockey, in-door soccer, primary art club and scrapbooking. Please join us Heritage Public School on January 23rd at 6:30 in our school library to find out more.

It is where our combined French and English history is celebrated in our families as our community grows and changes. We nurture our students. We recognize and build upon student strengths for personal and academic growth. We encourage local and global citizenship.

1375 Colonial Road, Navan, ON K4B 1N1 phone: 613 835-1700 • fax 613 835-1799

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker