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2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 23, 1999 OHA, unions stave off strike as talks continue By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Talks between the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and the union representing more than 80 employees at Port Perry's hospital continued last week. While talks between the OHA and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) were originally scheduled for March 11 and 12, progress made led to more discussions last week, said Cathy Loyst, an RPN' at the local hospital who is the CUPE rep for Local 126. "I believe that they're presently talking... that talks are in progress," she said last Thursday. "That's a good sign; we're all hope- ful that a contract can be reached." The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which also repre- Bar & Grill. he new home of ¢ Classic' ountry Music' will be hosted bere every Saturday night. ) ¢ Don't miss our * sents hospital workers across the province, had talks scheduled 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 out- standing collective bar- gaining problems. Officials representing both unions met in Toronto Jan. 28 and 29, when a judge heard arguments on the contract arbitration process. The judge ruled in favour of the OHA, which wants the provincial gov- ernment to act as the arbi- trator in the dispute. The unions feel the government is biased against unions. Negotiations between the two unions and the OHA ground to a halt last year, with CUPE and SEIU members threatening to _ Our Star | Pp Shines Brighter at Starlite \ GRAND OPENING on March 27th withthe * 'Famed' Pqul Wasson and the 'Toe-Tapping' Burnt River Band oO wy With Your STARLITE BAR & GRILL 1866 Scugog St., Port Perry ¢ 985-0025 ® 80 Water St., iLimed aa Port Perry Food Cowboy Hat strike if an agreement is not reached. The latest talks have given union members a little bit of opti- mism though, says Ms Loyst. "It gives us a cause for hope," she said, adding that members are "quite confi- dent" that a deal will be reached. Strike talks have also been put off because of the current discussions between the two sides. Stalling an agreement is the fact that both sides have refused to budge on the issue of contracting out work at the hospitals. They 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 CUPE employ- ees at the Lakeridge Health Port Perry site cast a ballot in a strike vote last November; the vote was not unanimous, but work- ers came out in favour of a strike. Members include main- tenance, dietary, clerical, admitting staff, and RPNs as well as lab and x-ray technicians. Misquotations are the only quotations that are never misquoted. BIRTHDAY JEFF MITCHELU/PORT PERRY STAR POPULAR DUO: Youngsters were dancing and clapping in the aisles at the Port Perry United Church Saturday, when popular childrens' entertainers Terry & Rick performed. Their high-energy act provided fun for the little ones, and was presented by the Scugog Toy Lending Library. The Dov Dovey Slav New Cover Price Notice Please note the Port Perry Star cover price will increase to 75¢ (0¢ + 5¢GST) effective this issue March 23, 1999 188 Mary Street, Port Perry (905) 985-7383 Birthday Nicole Leslie Morrow Player on March 16th Love from Mommy, Daddy, Grandma Morrow, Grandpa & Grandma Player; Aunts & Uncles CIEE oo. A. Seagrave, Greenbank. 9) "Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" TIT