Whitby Free Press, 14 Dec 1994, p. 9

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By MIkeKowaloki A provincial government inves- tigation of a local mental health agnyhas been completed. "But resuits of an audit of Whitby Ail Saints Residence Corp. will not be known until after Ministry of Health officiais meet with management and employees of the agency later this nionth. "Mhe review is completed and the report is in its final stages," ministry spokesperson Barbara Selkirk said Friday. "I understand ministry staff plan on meeting with the board and union in the next couple weeks te discus it with them,» she added. Health Minister Ruth Grier ordered a review of the agency's oPerations in March after allega- tions of "improprieties" were raised by employees during a six-week strike. Among their accusations, wor- kers claimed that residents had been improperly discharged; reports were altered; residents sexually assaulted; staff sexually harassed, and provincial health and safety laws ignored. The workers members of Local 2936 of the Cfnadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), pro- vide life skills training to people with mental health probleme at three group homes Ail Saints operates in Whitby. A non-proit agency funded by the province, Ail Saints alo offers support services to about 100 clients in Durham Region. The employees returned to work in March after the Al Saints board of directors applied to have the dispute settled by first contract legisiation. Under Ontario labour law, employees must go back te work after an application is made. Althouglih e had not y et recei- ved word officiall, CUPE staff representative BobTooqp assu- med the audit was nearing com- pletion. "They (niinistry) did their interviews. I suspect weIl hear in the next few weeks," he said. Toop declined t ommet o the amount of time taken to conduct the audit. Ail Saints' chief negotiator David Sims said the review took Almost $1,000 in cash was taken ini a theft from Pet Valu, 965 Dundas St. W. Police say the theft occurred sometime between 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 2:30 p.m. Friday. There was no siçn of forced entry and the culprit knew exactly where the money was hidden. The criininal investigaItion8 bureau is looking intoe in cident. Drug charge laid A 24-year-old Oshawa man was charged with possession and driving while prohibited after he Police food, toy drive The Durham Regional Police sixth annual Christmas food and toy drive is underway and continues until Dec. 16. Drop off an unwrapped toy or food item at any police station or fire hall in Durham Region, or calI the Christmas depot at 427-3697 for pickup. Police will pick up donations and deiver them to agencies for distribution to, the community. For questions or information about setting up a drop box, eall 427-3697. was pulled over on Chamnplain Avenue early Friday morning. The suspect was searched and police found two viles of hash oil and a ba of magie mushrooms hidden in his underwear. Cloths Tht Mae Yo Fee Goo longr than originally planned. Tut once it got started, it moved quickly'» he said. However, tMe"ore this is up in the air and unresolved, it creates a greater degree of uncer- tainty,» said Sims. "I hope we get the report shortly and the first contract arbitration so everybody knows where we stand." The arbitration board that will work out details of the unon's first contract with Ail Saints, finished its hearings in Novem- ber Toop said. 'e board's decision, which is binding on both parties is expec- ted early in the new year, hie added. Toop, meanwhîle, preferred not to comment on the employees' morale of the past few months. "I should leave that up te, the workers themselves,"hle said. During the strike, Sims con- stantly dismissed the unions complaints as a bargaining ploy and repeatedlly stressed that the agency had no reason te fear an investigation.. The union insisted that work- ing conditions and not monetary reasons were behind its decision te strike. The workers had documented their charges and sent them te the rninistry on two separate occasions prior to the strike. But not until the union pub- licly demanded an inquiry and met with Grier's staff, did the minister accede to the request. M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M i M M M M M M M M M M B New Year's Eve at Dagmnar Only $60. per couple 5PM-1AM ~ RESERVE NOW! 649-5171 or 649-2002 M M M M M Buy a Lennox whispxîiHeat Fumnace and receive FR E.Air Cleaner r or Power Humidifier or 0D y *Setback Thermostat tiApil19 wVhi5pi fl -Q..5 Here's a ne* guis (urnacc nu home Jîuuld _ bc without. Thc WhispcrHealT' gus [urnace from Lcnnox. lis thc answcr lu homcowncrs who have been putting off replacingthciroldclunkcrwith the ncwest in tcchnology. WhisperHcat iLennox quality ai ils best. High cfficnh.y lnnovativc engineering. Warm comlort. Easy installation. 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M ministry completes, review of Whitby mental health'agency 1 se wine dm 1 Whitby Free Pres, Wechesday, Deoember 14. 1994.Page 9 Theft at Pet Valu boxes GIVT Cte e flierapy clillic tb rJasssag VT ceflflcp:m lý a GI GIVT C'ý'l;CneCN

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