Larry Cripps scholarship goes to Hanover student
The 2008 annual Larry Cripps Scholarship has been awarded to Jon Moos of Hanover. Jon, who plans to attend an Ontario college this fall, submitted the winning essay that outlined his commitment to public law enforcement. His mother, Wendy Moos, is a member of OPSEU Local 284 at the Hanover LCBO. “Jon has the dedication and commitment to really make a difference by serving his community, and we congratulate him on this award,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of OPSEU.
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Region 3 Bargaining Conference Results
On June 7, 2008 the Region 3 Bargaining Conference was held at the Delta East in Scarborough.
The following are the election results:
Pete Wright elected as the Region 3 Corrections delegate
Roxanne Barnes elected as Central delegate
Dan Murphy elected 1st alternate as the Region 3 Central delegate
Cindy Hayes-Wright elected as the OAG delegate
Karrie Ouches elected as the Admin. delegate
David Chew elected as the IHC delegate
Ken Fraser was elected as the OPM/TEC delegate
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Local Demand Setting Complete
Rick Leblanc was the winner of the Grand Prize -
a night at the Delta Chelsea and 2 Blue Jays tickets.
Regional Bargaining Conference is
June 7, 2008 at the Delta East - Scarborough
Delegates attending on behalf of our local:
Corrections: Pete Wright, Dave Sirrs and Dan Murphy
Alternates: Glen Allin, Steve Fraser and Rob Kerr
Instituional and Health: Denise Kerr
Alternate: Cathy Goard
Office Administration: Liz Johnston
Alternate: Luanne Reperon
Operation and Maintenance: Wayne Hindeman
Alternate: Perry McConnell
Unclassifieds: Steve Comtois
Alternate: Penny Kellough
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Bargaining Kickoff
The first week of May Local 368 kicked off the 2008 round of OPS Bargaining with food, information and surveys. All members were given a survey to fill out. Surveys are to be back to the union office by May 9th. Contact Glen in the union office if you haven't received yours. (705) 328-6000 Ext. 2165
"Demand it, Get it"
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ODSP Day of Action
Staff at the Lindsay Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) office take great pride in the service they provide to area clients.
But dealing with caseloads, which are roughly double that of the national average, is making it difficult.
On Tuesday afternoon, members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 368 took part in a Day of Action information picket, joining roughly 40 others occurring across the province. The event, held outside Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott's constituency office in Lindsay, was designed to protest the crisis in understaffing that is "seriously eroding" the delivery of public services to 325,000 Ontarians who receive income support.
"We're asking for $60 million in the next budget to staff ODSP offices appropriately to serve clients," explained Local 368 steward Luanne Reparon who is one of seven full-time and three part-time staff members employed at the local ODSP office.
The Central East region, which includes Peterborough, Lindsay, Orillia and Whitby, has an average caseload of 501 clients per case worker. The national average is 258. A study released last July has shown front-line workers are suffering from steep levels of stress, tension, ill health and high absenteeism.
"Because it's a caring and emotional service . . . burn-out is tremendous when you know you can't meet their needs," said Ms Reparon, adding many clients live below the poverty line and they shouldn't have to wait to receive the service they need. "They're human beings. The way I see it, the only difference between my clients and me is which side of the desk we're on."
Ms Reparon said the union isn't asking for the idyllic situation of Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba where ratios are below 200 to one, but rather closer to the 250 mark. With Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's pledge to reduce poverty rates in Ontario by 25 per cent over the next five years, the multi-million dollar infusion is a step in the right direction.
"This is the starting place," said Ms Reparon.
Ms Scott agrees.
"The Liberals have promised to address poverty, but there hasn't been a lot of movement. We have to hold the Liberals accountable," said Ms Scott, citing November's two-per-cent increase to ODSP payments - only the second increase in 12 years - doesn't even cover inflation.
While she commends the efforts of the hard-working individuals at offices, not only in her riding, but across the province, she points out it's especially important to address the caseload crisis for the clients' sake. Ms Scott noted they are not only disabled, and therefore vulnerable, but the transportation gaps found in rural areas like her riding, pose even greater challenges. Notwithstanding are unsettling wait times for service and that doesn't include the lengthy experience of wading through the "bureacratic red tape" to get into the system in the first place.
Ms Scott plans to bring the matter up in Conservative Caucus and also present concerns in the Legislature.
"I just hope the government listens," said Ms Scott, adding she intends to push the government to make good on its "poverty promises when it releases its 2008 budget later this month.
