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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 11, 1998 - 17 Nurses hope arbitration will hel From page 1 (ONA), have been on strike since June 17. Saint Elizabeth Health Care is one of a number of agen- cies which provides in- home care to patients under contract with Durham Access to Care. The nurses, who formed Local 57 of the ONA in 1996, are striking over issues that include work- ing conditions, fair com- pensation for overtime, safety concerns, and wages. Their wages have been frozen at 1991 levels since 1992. There have been no breaks in the impasse since the nurses went on strike. Mediation talks in mid-June yielded no favor- able developments. That's why nurses are hoping their application for arbitration 1s approved, said Mrs. Dixon. "Hopefully (arbitration) expedites the process to get us back to work," said Mrs. Dixon, adding that while the strike has ground on longer than expected, nurses are main- taining their resolve to fight for their issues. "The more we're out here the more we realize we've been treated badly for a long time, and we have to stand tough," she said. "We're not asking for the world here; we're just asking to be treated fair- ly." Saint Elizabeth Health Care spokesperson Eva Novy said the company is awaiting the decision on the arbitration applica- tion. It takes several weeks for a decision to be handed down. "We're just following that process, and obvious- ly we won't protest that," she said, agreeing there's been virtually no move- ment with regard to the strike in Durham other- wise, Ms Novy wouldn't say at what point it becomes critical to get the nurses back to work if the com- pany hopes to renew its contract with Durham Access to Care. St. Elizabeth was granted a one-year contract -- along with four other agencies - - which began on April 1 of this year. However, she allowed that "logically, that may be a concern." And Ms Novy said this strike -- and any conces- sions the company may make 1t coming to an agreement with the union -- may have ramifications in other jurisdictions. St. Elizabeth Health Care has 10 branches in Ontario, Just two of which -- Durham and Metro Toronto -- which are union- 1zed. "I don't think (the com- pany 1s) in a position to give wages increases, there (Durham) or across the board," she said. The Port Perry Seniors Club will be hosting sessions of the "55 Alive" driving course in town this fall. The "55 Alive" DRiving Program has been developed by the Canada Safety Council and is the most compre- hensive nationwide course designed espe- cially for the mature driver. Course material is based on information gained from research to determine what is need- ed by this age group, to update driver knowledge and skills. This course is sched- uled to begin on Tuesday, September 15 at 1 p.m. at the Latcham Center in Port Perry. Each class will run for three hours on three successive Tuesdays (Sept. 15, 22, 29). It can be a very trau- matic experience for a senior to have a bad acci- dent and/or lose the right to drive. This program gives the participant the Seniors' driving course comes to Port this fall opportunity to learn how to drive more efficiently and safely. The program is set up for drivers who are 55 years of age and older. It can be very helpful for those who are 80 years of age and older who need to pass the Ministry of Transportation Test under the new program for this age group. Some Insurance Companies may provide a reduction in insurance premiums if this course 1s completed. The Instructor will be Doug Stevenson of the Oshawa Driving School. The cost of the Course is $30, which includes a $10 text book. "You may register by signing the posted sheet at the Latcham Center or by phoning Stan Rickard at 985-8033. This program is made possible by the joint sponsorship of the Federal Government and The Port Perry Seniors Club. News to report? ...Call The Star first at 985-7383 EE EE EE EE EE EE Another concern, given the duration of the strike -- for both the nurses and the company -- is that they may lose patients. Since the beginning of the dis- pute Durham Access to Care has placed patients with other agencies. Clients have the option of going back to the St. Elizabeth caregivers they had before the strike once the dispute is settled, but Mrs. Dixon recognizes that some may choose not to do so. "If they've adjusted to Open 7 days a Week Mon.-Fri. 9am to 5pm Sat. 8am to 4pm Sun. 9am to 4pm 905-642-2285 another nurse and are happy with the care they're getting, we shouldn't expect them to take us back," she said. And Ms Novy said that while some cases may be lost as a result of the strike, others will be entering the system. "It 1s a concern to lose patients, but new patients will come," she said. Durham Access to Care spokesperson Esther Filer sald that when the strike ends, clients who have been transferred to other [DIRECT \ PAYMENT 12555 10th Line North agencies will not be sent back to St. Elizabeth unless they request the change. But new chents coming into the system would be assigned to the agency, and others with contracts in Durham, she said. "We are growing quite quickly," said Ms Filer. "There is no shortage of patients." She added that strikes by nurses providing client care -- members of the Victorian Order of Nurses were also off the job for Stouffville Country Market *Stouffville's Beanie Baby Headquarters Shop Monday to Friday and receive The Lowest Marked Price Shoes, Clothing, Toys, Beanie Babies, Accessories & more p solve strike impasse two weeks this summer before signing a contract -- have made it necessary for Durham Access to Care to carefully manage resources and, 1n some cases, decide that some patients with less urgent needs do not qualify for the home visits. "We prioritize on a nursing availability basis," said Ms Filer. "Rather than providing services as wide-ranging as we would like, we are more inclined to treat the more urgent cases." 194% ylelglef:) Are Friday only VISA 0 N Uxbridge Greenbank t+ | # I h Goodwood --F -q EEICTR oF TE Bloomington Durham 21 I 4" COUNTRY Port Bl 4 MARKET | Perry 2 1 8 Brooklinl Hwy. 7 Y ¢ VY VP Vv FY. 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