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| | | | | 10 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 16, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" More talks between OHA, unions Contracting out work is still a stumbling block By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Union representatives for more than 80 employees at Port Perry's hospital were scheduled to meet with Ontario Hospital Association officials late last week in an attempt to avert a strike. Talks between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the OHA were held last Thursday and Friday (March 11 and 12) in Toronto. No word as to the outcome had been received by The Star's publishing deadline on Monday. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which also represents hospital workers across the province, was scheduled to hold talks with the OHA on March 8 and 9. The purpose of these meetings was to resolve issues surrounding the way in which negotiations will proceed as well as outstanding collective bargaining issues. Officials representing both unions met in Toronto on Jan. 28 and 29 where a judge heard arguments between them and the OHA on the contract arbitration process. The judge ruled in favour of the OHA, which wants the provincial government to act as the arbitrator in the dispute. The unions feel the government's view is biased against unions. Negotiations between the two unions and the OHA ground to a halt last year, with the CUPE and SEIU members promising to strike ONTARIOPOWER GENERATION ALLOW US TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE UPCOMING CHANGES IN THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY. You may or may not have heard about it, but Ontario's electricity industry will be open to competition in the year 2000. So how will it affect you? It means quite simply that you'll soon be able to shop around for the best service and the best price from a number of different power suppliers. As part of these changes, Ontario Hydro will become two completely separate companies: Ontario Power Generation, responsible for generating power and Ontario Hydro Services Company, which will look after delivery, retail sales and service. An Independent Electricity Market Operator will be established to ensure reliability of the system. Experience shows that increased competition brings with it better prices as well as new and improved services and technologies. And with more choice out there in the market, the power will truly be yours. For a brochure with more information, visit our website at www.hydro.on.ca or call 1-888-927-4477. Ontario Hydro THE POWER OF CHOICE. if an agreement is not made. Both sides refuse to budge on the issue of contracting out work at the hospitals and are also fighting over wages, benefits and the arbitration process. Union members have been without a contract since 1995. Approximately 80 per cent of the employees at Port Perry cast a ballot in a strike vote last November; the vote was not unanimous, but workers came out in favour of a strike. The members -- the include maintenance, dietary, clerical, admitting staff, and RPNs as well as lab and x-ray technicians -- say they would strike 24 hours a day at the Port Perry site. 17-year-old charged with possession of narcotics Durham Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old Port Perry male after he was found possessing narcotics. Police report that two officers were called to Whitfield Rd. after someone reported a suspicious vehicle in the area. Upon arriving, police found three young males in a car. One had a controlled substance in his possession, police say. "A 17-year-old Port Perry male has been charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to appear in an Oshawa youth court on April 30. Minor damage in attempted house robbery Durham Police report that sometime between 3 p.m. and 11:40 p.m. on March 2 thieves attempted to break into a Rosa St. home. During that time, police say, thieves broke a rear porch window while the vic- tim was at work. Entry into the home was unsuccessful though, add police. Damage is estimated to be approximately $100.