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The Informer 1
December 1995 Vol. 4 Issue 5
Make sure Maxi-brake is applied
We hold our regular University, Left King). One device to function, the designers
meeting every month, and after major problem is trying to decided that it would be unsafe to
each meeting we are able to move convince Waterloo City Council have the back brakes apply when
forward, and make our jobs just a that these changes will make our the back door switch was used. In
little bit easier. The minutes of jobs easier. my opinion they are wrong,
each meeting is posted for your We talked to the because to me, it is a safety
inspection at the garage. Kitchener planning department, device. When you are out of your
Management is always ready to to try and have them remove the bus and closing the doors, your
listen to our ideas, because like obstacles they left in our bus hand is still on a braking device.
us, they too would like to see stops on King Street. These So please make sure,
transit operate as efficiently as include, benches, trees posts, before you leave your seat for any
possible. garbage cans, bicycle racks. As of reason, that you apply the Maxi
The latest this day, they have not finished brake. When parking the bus,
accomplishment, is having the the job. We also asked for a “no always apply the Maxi brake and
back wall at the Transportation right turn on red light” sign to be turn your wheels into the curb,
Center torn down and rebuilt. We erected on Gaukel Street. (Continued on page 2)
are still working on changing We, as professional
route 9 inbound to University, drivers, have had many
(Hazel, left Hickory, right King, preventable accidents lately. Of In this issue:
right University), and route 7 these, the three run away buses
inbound on Columbia, were the most damaging to our Committee Reports
(Columbia, right Regina, right reputation. We were very lucky Travel Tips
that no one was killed. I am sure
In My Opinion
Support the that there were other incidents
like this, but the operator was Poetry
Library Update
December 11 able to stop the bus with the back
door switch. We can no longer Bus Stop Trivia
General Strike rely on the back door switch if we
forget to apply the Maxi brake
Christmas Light Tours
Giving Tom the Slip
in London before leaving the bus.
All of the new buses are
Workers’ Compensation
equipped with a sensitive edge Reform - Bill 15
see page 8 for details back door. In order for this safety Government to Slash WC
2 December 1995
(Continued from page 1)
and put the gear selector in Uniform New Members
neutral. This must be done Maureen Ancio
because the new buses have
Committee Jaqueline Eng
almost twice as much power as Maarit Isolehto
the old ones, and they can be At our last meeting, with Kathy Klein
driven with the brakes on. Do not Leslie Banson, Ray Miller, Steve Yves Lepage
rely on the safety buzzer that is Caven, Lois Yandt and Linda Gordon Roth
designed to warn you if the bus is Lyon, we managed to come to a Steve Wilcox
in gear and the Maxi is not used. decision about ties. Our goal was Welcome!
Any electric eye can defeat itself. to have the City agree to let our
You can actually step over the operators go without wearing a
beam, or the transmission can tie all year round. To achieve this, In Memoriam
show that it is not in gear, while itwe had to give up the polo shirts.
After next summer polo shirts Vince
actually is in gear.
Laszlo Bori will not be worn, we will all have
Hartleib
to wear proper shirts.
Any operator who doesn’t
want to wear a tie must wear the
appropriate uniform. Spring/Fall
Condolences jacket, or a winter coat, short or
The Executive and
long sleeve shirt with a sweater or
a cardigan. If wearing a long
Contributors
membership wish to extend our sleeve shirt only, than a tie must Helping out with this issue were:
deepest sympathy to the be worn. If wearing the blazer Ted Bate
following members who have with any combination of shirts, a Warren Bell
suffered the loss of loved ones: tie must be worn. Wayne Bell
Laszlo Bori
Jim Charters
Dave Havell (Mother-in-law) Rosemarie Bergmann
Orville Visneskie (Mother-in- Laszlo Bori
law) Ricki Germann
Linda Lyon
Paul Mennie
Connelly Nolan
TomWilliams
Policy Statement
The Informer is a publication of
CAW Local 4304 and is intended to
educate and inform the members. The
views expressed are those of the
writer and not necessarily those of the
CAW or Local 4304. The newsletter
committee reserves the right to edit
for clarity or fact. Material of a sexist,
racist or defamatory nature will not
Photo: Wayne Bell be printed.
A replica of a San Franciso streetcar.
The Informer 3
Political Education Committee Health and
Locally, Sherman presently held by these Safety
Supersonic Industries employees.
Corporation of Mississauga has Amend the Employment Accident and Incident Reports:
been awarded the contract to Standards Act to eliminate If you have the misfortune to
build a Drive-Through Bus Wash successorship protection for have to fill one of these out, it is a
System at a total cost of $134,000 employees in the contract service good idea to have the supervisor
plus G.S.T. sector, and reduce entitlements to give you a copy for your own
The Marathon the Employee Wage Protection records. You may find that you
Compressor Company Limited of Fund. remember something later that
Heidelberg has been awarded the Erode crown employees’ could be added to your report. It
contract to build a Compressed collective bargaining rights, could also be used for reference
Natural Gas Fueling Station at a including successorship and in the event you want to appeal a
cost of $73,000 plus G.S.T. related employer protection, and decision at the accident review
The new fare structure bar access to arbitration where committee. Also, if a change in
will become effective on Jan. 1, meaningful collective bargaining equipment or the work process
1996, with the exception of the is prevented as a result of would have prevented your
cash fare change which will be essential service agreements. accident, contact your health and
implemented on Feb. 1, 1996. Establish “transitional” safety or operators representative
The Transit Division, rules for proceedings commenced and go over your report with
under the directorship of Wally under Bill 40, which in many them.
Beck, is being transferred to the cases will result in the retroactive
Public Works Department application of Bill 7, and in Winter driving: Our schedules
reporting to the General Manager others the termination of were set up to work under normal
of Public Works. proceedings commenced under traffic and good road conditions.
Bill 40 unless a final decision has That is lost during the winter. It is
Provincially, the bad new been issued. a lot better to drive slower during
just keeps on coming. Bill 7 is Remove the emphasis on slippery road conditions and
now law. I don’t think a lot of us collective bargaining in the arrive a few minutes late, than to
understand just how much this existing purpose clause, and get in an accident and spend an
bill will affect us. replace it with a purpose clause hour waiting for the police and
Bill 7 will... which diminished the role of filling out reports.
Repeal virtually all of the trade unions. If a part of your route
significant reforms contained in This local is participating becomes too icy to navigate
Bill 40. in the C.A.W.’s Fight Back safely, contact your supervisor
Introduce sweeping Campaign. We are handing out and ask for alternate routing until
alterations to the present rules literature outlining the the area is sanded. With
governing certification and governments agenda and the government cuts in spending, you
decertification. labour movements response to it. may find it will take longer for
Enact mandatory strike If we don’t stand together against the roads to be attended to during
and ratification votes. this government now, we might the stormy weather.
Entirely eliminate the find that we are too weak to do it
right of agricultural workers, later. Radio Earphones: It has been
domestics and many professional In Solidarity, brought to my attention that some
groups to engage in collective Tom Williams
bargaining, and extinguish (Continued on page 4)
collective bargaining rights
4 December 1995
away with the right to refuse Everything this
In My Opinion unsafe work. government has done or is
I could go on and on, but planning to do has benefited the
What a wondrous place it you get the point. No matter what affluent segment of society at the
is to behold. In this world, full- our Social Services minister says, expense of those who can least
grown people can feed no one can eat nutritiously for 90 afford it. So far, Mike Harris has
themselves on 90 dollars a month dollars a month and companies maintained his popularity by
and jobs are so plentiful that, all aren’t begging people to come in hitting those on social assistance.
an unemployed person has to do, and work. Since many Ontarians look down
is, walk down any main street, of Employees will still on these people, they are easy
any city in this province and take targets. But make no mistake.
his or her pick from all the “Help Those on welfare are not the only
Wanted” signs in the stores! targets, just the first. Organized
In this world, it will be labour is next on the agenda
impossible to injure your back on along with health care and
the job or sustain a stress related education. These are areas which
injury. Companies will be so will have an impact on all of us.
enlightened and caring about their I’ll close with a quote
employees well-being, joint from the venerable Charlie
Health and Safety committees Farquarson, on the economic
will no longer be needed. theory of the Mike Harris
Progressive labour sustain back injuries and stress reformers, “If you give a horse
legislation, such as Bill 40, will related injuries. They just won’t enough oats, the sparrows will get
be redundant, since employers in be able to collect from the some,... if they hang around long
this world, wouldn’t think of Workers Compensation Board for enough.”
using scabs during strikes or such injuries. Joint Health and Respectfully submitted,
doing other regressive things like Safety will still be needed, but, Tom Williams
eliminating the Employee Wage unless the employer sees fit, they
Protection Program, or doing won’t exist.
(Continued from page 3) of the rights you have already all. The city is only willing to
operators are wearing “hearing lost. Money spent on making a work with a minimum
aids” during baseball and hockey worker more comfortable at work government standard, and some
season. This could limit your is not a luxury. It will contribute of the supervisors are already
hearing enough that you might to a better quality of work and working on the assumption that
not hear someone in an lower rates of absenteeism, the Union Health & Safety is no
emergency situation. This is an sickness and industrial injury. longer in force. Our generation
unsafe work practice and the If you want the quality of could be the first one in a long
supervisors have every right to your working conditions to be time to find out, under what
discipline an operator wearing maintained let your member of conditions our grand-parents had
one of these while driving. parliament know you don’t want to work.
to see any reductions in this area. Please take some time and
Government Cuts: The Ontario Some of our members complain to your member of
government is planning to make don’t think that the Union is parliament.
large cuts to health and safety doing very much on their behalf. Jim Charters
training and workplace But at the rate the Harris
monitoring. With the speed and government is cancelling labour
secrecy that they are dismantling laws, they may find out what it is
legislation you may not be aware like not to have any protection at
The Informer 5
and our National Office for Workers Compensation
Workers sending me on the Level 4 Conference being held in Halifax
Reinstatement Course. I found it in January of 1996. This is being
Compensation very informative and will be able put on by the CLC National
to pass on the knowledge to our Office and would like a delegate
1) Brothers Mike Smith, members. from each Local to attend. The
Charlie Straeten, Reg Gingras 4) Brother Ted Bate has been rooms are $85.00 a day and the
and Brad Mills, would appreciate registered for a Level 1, 2 course dates are January 25-28, 1996.
at least a phone call from our for Workers’ Compensation. This Thursday - Sunday, registration is
membership. These people need is the last week of November in $150.00. The conference is being
their morals boosted when they Guelph at the Steelworker’s Hall. held in Atlantic Canada since it is
are off sick. Department #2 also We must have members trained there that the corporate WCB
has brothers Owen Burt and John to carry on in a position. Ted as agenda is being implemented
Heber. well can help with the work load first.
2) Brother George Byers has and initial paper work. The
returned to work in Department Executive has made this
#2 on transitional work program recommendation and we would Paul Mennie
after Carpal Tunnel surgery was ask that his lost wages be covered Benefits Committee
done to his wrist. Comp. Representative
by the Local.
3) Thanks to the membership 5) There is a CLC National
School Excuse Notes
The following is a collection of He was hurt in the growing part. She spent a weekend with the
"actual excuse notes from parents * Megan could not come to Marines.
(including spelling)" from the school today because she has * Please excuse Jason for being
Office of Educational Assessment been bothered by very close absent yesterday. He had a cold
at the University of Washington. veins. and could not breed well.
* Please excuse Ray Friday * Please excuse Mary for being
* My son is under a doctor's from school. He has very loose absent yesterday. She was in bed
care and should not take P.E. vowels. with gramps.
today. Please execute him. * Please excuse Tommy for * Gloria was absent yesterday
* Please excuse Lisa for being being absent yesterday. He had as she was having a gangover.
absent. She was sick and I had diarrhea and his boots leak. * Please excuse Burma, she has
her shot. * Irving was absent yesterday been sick and under the doctor.
* Dear School: Please ekscuse because he missed his bust. * Maryann was absent
John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, * Please excuse Jimmy for December 11-16, because she had
30, 31,32, and also 33. being. It was his father's fault. a fever, sore throat, headache and
* Please excuse Gloria from * Please excuse Jennifer for upset stomach. Her sister was
Jim today. She is administrating. missing school yesterday. We also sick, fever and sore throat,
* Please excuse Roland from P. forgot to get the Sunday paper off her brother had a low grade fever
E. for a few days. Yesterday he the porch, and when we found it and ached all over. I wasn't the
fell out of a tree and misplaced Monday, we thought it was best either, sore throat and fever.
his hip. Sunday. There must be something going
* John has been absent because * Sally won't be in school a around, her father even got hot
he had two teeth taken out of his week from Friday. We have to last night.
face. attend her funeral.
* Carlos was absent yesterday * My daughter was absent
because he was playing football. yesterday because she was tired.
6 December 1995
Workers’s Compensation Reform - Bill 15
The Conservatives Some of the proposed changes This is just the
promised in their election are:
campaign to make changes to the
beginning. In April of 1996.
1. Any person who does not the Harris government is
compensation system which they
inform the Board “of a material expected to bring in major
claim is “on the brink of a
change” in connection with his/ changes to the compensation
financial crisis.” If the system is
her entitlement to benefits within system led by Elizabeth Witmer.
truly in financial difficulty, then it
10 days is guilty of an “offence”. Minister of Labour and Cam
is partly due to the government
Workers will be treated as Jackson, Minister Without
not enforcing the collection of
criminals for not having a Portfolio for Workers’
$430 million of outstanding
assessments and penalties from working knowledge of the
employers and the $200 million compensation system.
of rebates annually handed back 2. If a person is convicted of
to the employers in this province an offence the following penalty
by the WCB for supposedly could apply:
providing safer workplaces. a. if an
However, this has not stopped the individual, he/she is liable to a
Harris government from driving a fine not exceeding $25,000 or to
rules agenda - to cut and slash at imprisonment not exceeding 6
the expense of workers benefits. months or to both
On Wednesday, b. If the person is Compensation. These changes to
November 1, 1995, the Minister not an individual, that person is the system will negatively affect
of Labour introduced Bill 15, the liable to a fine not exceeding injured workers. Some of the
first of a two-stage initiative $100,000. changes expected are:
intended to completely overhaul 3. An overpayment is a 1. a three day unpaid
the compensation system. The debt due and owing to the waiting period for
first stage involves a legislative Board at the time the compensation benefits after
package that will: overpayment is made. The being injured on the job
1. establish a multi- Board may deduct from money 2. the reduction in benefits
stakeholder board of directors payable by the Board to a person by 5% or more
2. increase financial and their survivors, all or part of a 3. the review of lifetime
accountablility debt due AND the Board may pensions awarded before 1990
3. conduct “value-for- pursue such other remedies as it 4. the reduction to future
money” audits to ensure the considers appropriate to recover economic loss (FEL) awards by
WCB programs are efficient, the debt due. 15% to 40% for injuries after
effective and financially sound 4. The Board of Directors 1990
4. strengthen anti-fraud will now include a minimum of 5. the elimination of
provisions and eliminate other three and a maximum of seven compensation for certain
abuses in the system. members who are representative injuries such as back and
of workers, employers and such repetitive strains, chronic pain
This Bill does nothing for others as the Lieutenant Governor and stress.
injured workers. It makes any in Council considers appropriate.
injured worker a potential This will replace the equal Any of these recent legislative
criminal. representation of workers and changes and proposed cuts that
employers on the past Board. are expected in the spring of 1996
do not help injured workers.
The Informer 7
They will hurt injured workers.
Library Update
To fight back, you can:
The following is the latest Human Services
1. Call or visit your MPP’s additions to our library. Centers for Disease Control and
office and tell your MPP how #082* Shifts duration of work Prevention
these changes will affect your and accident risk of bus drivers National Institute for
life. To find out who your MPP is The Netherlands Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
please call 1-800-668-2727 Preventive Health Care #092* Regulating Hazardous
2. Write to: Health and Safety Substances
Elizabeth Witmer, #083* Absenteeism In the Canadian Labour Congress
Minister of Labour Ontario Transit Industry National Policy Position
400 University Ave, 14th Floor Report for OUTA Centre for September 1993
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7 Transit Improvement #093* Resources for Worker
3. Attend a demonstration Laurence Kelly - Kingston Well-being
at the WCB head office, 200 #084* Fatal Injuries to Workers Workplace Health and Safety
Front Street West on Thursday U.S. 80-89 Agency
December 7, 1995 at 12 noon. Center for Disease Control and #094 Detroit Diesel Series 50
All injured construction Prevention CDC Operator's Guide for 94 Flyer
workers are encouraged to National Profile Detroit Diesel
attend. #085* Fatal Injuries to Workers #095* Ergonomic MUCTC
U.S. State Feasibility study on the
The rights of workers in this Centers for Disease Control and ergonomic aspects of the bus
province are under attack from Prevention CDC operator's station at the Montreal
Premier Harris and his State Profiles Urban Community Transit
government. The new labour law #086 Orion V Operating Manual Commission
(Bill 7) and the proposed changes Ontario Bus Industries Inc. Jan. 21, 1987
to the Compensation Act (Bill 15) #087* Ergonomics #096*Ergonomic Study by
will seriously affect our working Workers Health & Safety Centre CUTA
conditions as well as our ability Amalgamated Transit Union Ergonomic Study of the Bus
to collect compensation benefits. Level Program Driver's Workstation
Now is the time to take action #088* Occupational Review of the Literature for
and tell this insensitive, business Musculoskeletal Injuries The Canadian Urban Transit
minded government that we do 1991 Conference Summary Association
not support their proposed Centers for Disease Control and April 1990
changes to the compensation Prevention #097* Ergonomic Evaluation of
system. U.S. Department of Health and Kitchener-Waterloo Transit
Human Services Prepared by
WE DO NOT AND #089* Ergonomic Evaluation of Helen McRobbie
CANNOT SUPPORT THE Kitchener-Waterloo Transit Student Ergonomist
FURTHER EROSION OF Occupational Health Clinics for Occupational Health Clinics for
Ontario Workers Inc. Ontario Worker Inc.
INJURED WORKER’S #090* Ergonomics in the Work August 31, 1993
LIVING STANDARDS Environment V103 Recaro CL-1 First
FOR THE BENEFIT OF A Manual for Workers Generation
THE EMPLOYERS. CAW This is is the old style Recaro
#091* Workplace Use of Back seat, it is not the one that is
Belts installed in KT Buses
US. Department of Health and Wayne Bell
8 December 1995
Labour Council LOVE
Larry Bastista, president What is this thing called LOVE? How can anyone describe such a
of the Waterloo Regional Labour wonderful, warm, satisfying, inner feeling that one gets, when LOVE is present.
Council, publicly apologized to LOVE is the most precious feeling that two people can share. Without LOVE
Local 4304 for once again not there can be no happiness, there can be no life, there can be no fire to burn
within ones heart.
including us in the labour review
LOVE is elusive, it hides, it runs, it plays games, it slips through your
list, as a donator to the annual fingers. Many will never find LOVE, many will think that they have found
Labour Day Picnic. A letter of LOVE, but only a few are able to find their one true LOVE. That one special
apology is to follow. person, who can build a fire in your heart, who can give you the World, who can
United Way in the K.W. take you to the Stars.
That one special person that can make you feel warm and wonderful
area collected $3 million. inside. The one you want to be with, to share your life with, the one who will be
London was chosen by the there through good times and bad times, in sickness and in health. The one that
labour leaders for the one day takes so little, yet gives so much, the one that never complains, because she
strike by unionized workers. LOVES you so much.
They estimate that about 60,000 When you look into her eyes, you can see the fires of passion burning
inside. When you kiss her soft velvety lips, a gentle sigh comes from inside.
workers will be off the job on When you caress her warm soft skin, she presses against your hand. When you
December 11, 1995. look at her shape and form, you realize that your the luckiest man alive, to have
The coalition for social this beauty by your side.
justice will hold a demonstration LAZ
at he Kitchener public library on
December 7 and 8 from 8:00 PM
to 10:00 PM.
There was a debate and “Bus Stop Trivia”
One day strike Answer to previous bus stop
In London trivia question.
(a) Bus stop is located on route
#4 Glasgow on the corner of
Westvale Gate and Westvale
motion passed to support London Drive.
during their one day strike. Buses
will be provided for those that (b) Was this turn legal? The
wish to go. We are preparing for highway traffic act states that
Kitchener’s turn to take a kick at when a driver intends to turn left
the Harris Government. he/she shall approach the
Connelly Nolan intersection within the left hand
lane provided for traffic moving
Buses being in that direction or immediately
to the right of the centre line of
provided for the highway. Section 121(5)
If you were involved in an
those wanting to accident making this turn you
Do you know where this would most likely be charged
attend time table for vertically with making an improper left
challenged passengers is hand turn.
located? Jim Charters
The Informer 9
You are invited to a remembrance service Financial Secretary’s
December 6th October Report
To commemorate the lives of 14 women Recapitulation October
massacred in Montreal Total Cash Assets
Previous Month $30,064.58
December 6th Monthly Income 9,878.67
is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance Total $39,943.25
and Action on Violence Against Women
Monthly Expenses 6,832.84
at Balance 33,110.41
Allocation of Assets
Kitchener City Hall Bank Statement Balance 9,272.43
Less Out Standing 797.60
Wednesday, December 6, Actual Bank Balance 8,474.83
1995 Cash on Hand 338.04
Credit Union 5,176.19
6:30 p.m. Candlelight Ceremony Bank Mtl GIC 8,138.91
and Service in Rotunda Area
KWLC Debenture 3,000.00
Jointly sponsored by December 6th National Trust GIC 3,000.00
Coalition and CAW - Women’s Committee Bank Mtl GIC 5,000.00
Total Assets $33,127.97
Linda Lyon
Finacial Secretary
been donated. The bus will be
Transit used to collect donations such as
Women’s
Charitable Pennies for People.
Ricki Germann
Committee
Committee Report
Next Issue
For the Chili day of So far we sold 15 Purple
October, we sold 90 order of Deadline: Rose Commemorative pins.
Chili. For the Chili day held on Anyone interested in purchasing
November 15, we sold 95 orders. January 26, 1996 one please contact Sis. Germann.
Sis Kruse has assembled 200
A wagon was donated to White ribbons (representing our
us by Sis. Mayne. Cliff the intolerance of violence against
painter has volunteered to do all women). They are available at the
of the wood working needed to downtown terminal.
turn the wagon into a bus. All of Ricki Germann
the materials for this project have
10 December 1995
Sunday Comparisons Travel Tips
We have compiled a chart to indicate the number of shift Recent changes in
categories and the number of Sunday shifts that each category works. customs limits for returning
The information used is from September 1995 sign-up. Canadian Travellers are mainly
The chart clearly indicates that the night shift groups work due to free trade influences.
more Sundays than any other category. Limits have been raised in
The information breakdown for categories is: all three declaration periods.
24 Hours from $25 to $50
Shift Group# No. Sunday Percent 48 Hours from $100 to $300
(any number of times)
Early Day Shifts #1-#9 9 0 0 7 days from $300 to $500
(Less than 10 Hour Spread)
Free trade has lowered or
Twilights #25-#32+35 9 5 22.73
(Start 8AM - 1PM) eliminated any duties on many
Splits #10-#24 15 5 22.73 goods, especially items that are
(Early Start Late Finish) not made in Canada.
(Over 10 Hour Spread) Lists can be obtained free
Nights #33-#47 14 12 54.54
at the Canada Customs office on
(Start after 1PM)
Totals 47 22 100.00 Duke Street.
Spareboard is not included in these calculations Travel Well with Ted Bate
Sunday Comparison Chart
16
Just for
14
12
10
No. of Groups
8 Sundays
6
4
2
Laughs
0
Sex is the most fun you can have
Days Twilights Splits Nights
without laughing.
Sign-up and Scheduling Committee
Use our easy credit plan- 100
Local 4304 Now Has A Picture Scanner percent down - no payments.
Our local has recently purchased computer equipment. One of My father-in-law is in the
the items purchased is a picture scanner. If any members have insurance business. He sold me a
photographs, drawings or cartoons that are job or transit related, we twenty-year retirement policy - at
would like to scan them and possibly use them in future publications the end of twenty years - he
of our newsletter. retires.
Wayne Bell Submitted by:
The Informer 11
Government to slash workers’ compensation
More cuts to come period. This will encourage covered.
workers not to report their
workplace injuries. I’m not an injured
The Ontario government has
promised to make changes to worker. How will
workers’ compensation as part of More pressure on
their Common Sense Revolution. injured workers to these cuts affect me?
Some of these changes will start
this Fall and others will start in go back to work too Government and employers have
the Spring of 1996. soon cut back on workplace health and
Changes have been made to safety. Serious injuries have gone
workers’ compensation many up. Every worker is only one
Every injured worker wants to go
times. But this time is different. accident away from becoming an
back to work as soon as possible.
The new changes will affect all injured worker. If benefits are
This promise could mean injured
injured workers, not only people reduced, employers may pay
workers being forced back to
coming into the system after the lower premiums but taxpayers
work before they are ready. If
changes are decided. pay more to cover social
people go back to work before
they have healed, they risk assistance and health care costs
Privatization getting hurt again or becoming for injured workers.
permanently disable.
The government is considering What you can do to
contracting out the administration Cut benefits by 5%
of the Workers’ Compensation fight changes to
Board and services such as
Right now, benefits are based on workers’
vocational rehabilitation.
However contracting out, or
90% of net average earnings. The compensation
government says they will cut
privatizing, these services will
this to 85%. This may apply to Call or write your MPP’s office.
only give injured workers worse
everyone. Tell your MPP what these
service with no accountability.
If you think it’s bad now, just changes will mean for you and
wait. If these services are in the No more benefits for for other injured workers.
hands of private business, how To find out who your MPP is call
will injured workers appeal
some injuries 1-800-668-2727.
decisions? Cheaper programs
The government wants to change
won’t mean better programs.
the kinds of injuries covered by
workers’ compensation. Injuries
New 3-day waiting Written and produced by
such as stress, chronic pain, back
Toronto Injured Workers’
period pain, and repetitive strain may no
Advocacy Group,Union of
longer by covered. At the same
Injured Workers, Ontario
time there will be tougher rules
Right now the employer must pay Network of Injured Workers’
about how the injury is related to
the worker’s wages for the day of Groups, and Community Legal
work. For example, if an injured
the accident. The WCB pays from Education Ontario (CLEO)
worker’s disability gets worse it
then on. There is no waiting
will be blamed on aging or other
period. Now the government
personal factors and will not be
wants a 3-day unpaid waiting
12 December 1995
Christmas Light Tours
Photos: Terry Arndt
The annual Lights Tours for our senior
citizens in Kitchener and Waterloo will start
December 5 and end December 22.
The committee invites all operators to
participate again this year. The dates, times and
locations of the tours will be posted the week of November 27.
This year, to allow everyone an opportunity to participate, a “Sign-up” sheet will be posted at the
dispatch area for you to sign.
The committee would like to thank-you in advance for your involvement in this endeavor. Your
past involvement in the lights tour has made it the success it has become.
Christmas Light Tours Committee
Giving Tom The Slip
Every so often, a decided to put a coat of ureathane slippery). Had Tom not been
transition comes over me and I over it. When I was completed I holding onto the door, he would
become SUPER CLEAN could see my reflection in it. have been flat on his back
FREAK. Faster than the White Even when it was dry, it looked looking up at the white billowy
Tornado, more powerful than wet. It was that kind of shine. It clouds.
Janitor in a Drum, able to knock simply gleamed. I was very All the way to the garage
down Mr. Clean and put the boots proud. I needed to show it off to Tom cursed me. he was not
to him. someone. It demanded attention. impressed. To this day, the mere
One of those transitions One day Tom Gross asked mention of ureathane and Tom
struck me a few years ago while I if he could ride with me to the cringes.
was cleaning my truck. I washed garage. Perfect, here was my Recently I was talking to
it inside and out, waxed and opportunity to take my well Tom about how my cash bag
polished the exterior, deserved credit. Tom opened the looked dull and tired. He told me,
Armouralled the upholstery and passenger door and he placed one “Why don’t you just dip it into a
dash board, and Windexed all the foot up on the floor of the truck. vat of ureathane.”
windows. When I was done, it Suddenly, I heard this, Warren Bell
sparkled, except the vinyl floor “Whoaaaaaa!!” (the ureathane
covering. It lacked luster. I made the floor extremely
