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- ~-~.w---- - - Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, Apnil 20, 1994, Page 9 I' AfaA~TAL HDAL 77< A GD<'NO ~ By Mike Kowalsi A provincial government inves- tigation of a Whitby mental health agency will soon ho underway. Proposed terme of referenoe for an audit of the Whitby Ail Saints Residence Corp. is now before the Ministry of _Health. The draft proposais were pro- pared during a recent meeting of ministry staff, Ail Saints' offi- ciais and union representatives of the agency's employees. "TMe audit is carrying forward. We expect it to ho completed in the next tw o to three months," said Barbara Selkirk, spokespor- son for Hoalth4 Ministor Ruth Grier. "Mental healtli -(branch of the ministry) is satisfioed that it's on track," she said. Grier ordered an audit of the provncially-funded agehicy last month after allogationso1 in proprieties" wero raised\ by em ployees during a six-wàok strike. .everybody to have input and partcipation."P The workers, members of Local 2936 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), had documented their charges and sent thom tao the ministry on two separate occasions prior to the strike. But not until the union pub- licly demanded an .inriy and met with Grier's sta , udid th, minister accede ta the union's request. Aong its accusations, the union dlaimis that residents woro improperly discharged; reports alterod; residents soxually assaulted; staff sexually harassod, and provincial health and safety laws ignored. The employees, who provide lifo skills training to people with mental health probloms at three group homes in Whitby, returned ta work in March after manage- ment applied to have the dispute settled by first contract logisia- tion. Under Ontario labour law, omployees must return te work after an application is made.- Although ministry officiaIs hope to have the audit comploted as soon as possible, no time limit has been placed on the investiga- tion, Selkirk saxd. "This is the kind of thing whero we want everybody to, have input and participation," sho said. CUPE staff representative Bôb Toop said the union is pleased with the way initial proceedings transired. eTh ministry soems fairly sin- core. The meeting was fairly poiie» he said. M'etinistr staff must address "one or two littie points» raisod during the meeting, but Toop does not forsee major difficulties. "We feel comfortable (with the situation),» ho said. Although he did not attend, d e kxibioisoffetsavkgs 1 "I'm told it was a fairl1 produc- tive meeting,» said Ai Saints' chief negotiator David Sims. uWe had some proposed terme of referenoe. As a result of the discussions, the ministr>y has gone back ta finalize the termns,» he said. During the strike, Sims con- stantly dismissed the union s cornplaints as a bargaining ploy and ropeatedly stressed that the agency had no reason te fear an inïvestigation. The union, however, insisted that working conditions and not mornetary reasons wero behind its d!ýcision te strike. Th' agency continued to operaýe the homes through the use oe eight managers and six relacont workers. ,oop 1a1 the employees have had ta work throDugh some roug 9ýts" since returning te terj*bs, but conditions are «differejtit than what it was» prior ta the strike. Atleast now both parties roc- pognize the way it is,» ho sad. Meanwhile, the union and agèncy representatives on the arbitration board that will work detailà,of the contract, have sub- mitted àames for a chair. If the two sides cannot agre on a neutral arbitrator, the labour ministry will appoint one. . Ail Saints is represented by Tim Sargent, a Toronto lawyer who specializes in niatters of this kind. The union's position will ho p ut forward by enno Vorster, a Toronto-based labour consultant. Iroquois Park Arena: 500 Victoria St. W. Whitby 01Go tan * 110 Booths of Crafts Iroquis sttion* Admission - $3.00 Park (G.S.T. Included) ta Children under 10 Free (il JFREE PARKING Victna S. W.Fali Show Dates: . . Pickering October 29-30, 1994 Ministrynetiain to soonbegin ï