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Serving the South Country, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford since 1898
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Splash park open for last of the sunshine
GHOSTRIDERS
Riders bounce back Page 13 EARTH RANGERS
Bring back the wild Page 24 SPARWOOD
Happy Heart Scavenger Hunt Page 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Real Estate
Sparwood Elkford
Blairmore Pincher Creek Crowsnest Pass
Fernie Jaffray
FREE
Monday, October 1, 2012
Ltd. CENTURY 21 Maximum Realty operated. independently owned and Each CENTURY 21 Office is free 1 877 423-4113 B.C | 250- 423-4113 | toll 1361-B 7th Avenue, Fernie. .ca info@c21maximum.ca, www.c21maximum
Summer isn’t over just g because winter’s comin
to come on Enjoy many summers ation lots these affordable recreroads.
Real Estate Pull-Out
paved RV’s, fully serviced, Suitable for cabins or RIVERFRONT lots available ontact listing REALTOR® park is your dream….C If developing an RV 100 acre project. completing the entire about purchasing and
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
N WEEK PREVENTIO TO 13, 2012 OCTOBER 7
Have Two Ways Out©
• SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOME • LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS • WINTER SAFETY • SMOKE ALARMS
Fire Prevention Pull-Out
Fernie’s new splash park opened last week, just in time for kids to enjoy the last few days of summer. The splash park was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, but closed yesterday (Wednesday).
Photo by A. Treharne
Elkford municipal workers vote in favour of strike action By Nicole Liebermann Free Press Staff
E
lkford firefighters, public works employees, and garbage collectors, along with other municipal department workers for the District, have delivered a strong strike mandate. The 39 workers represented by CUPE 3004 have voted in favour of strike action. Tanis Haugo, CUPE 3004 President, stated that
the vote was to send the message to the employer that the employees are frustrated and aren’t feeling respected. "CUPE 3004 members have given our bargaining committee a strong and unified message to go back to the table to negotiate a deal that is fair and reasonable," said Haugo. "Our members not only work for the District of Elkford, but are also active citizens in this community."
The employees have been working without a contract since February 29, 2012. Some of the major outstanding issues include cost of living wage increases, length of the agreement, benefits, and scheduling issues. While prior negotiations came to a halt earlier in September, bargaining dates have been set for October. “Our plan is to go back to the bargaining table and the employer has agreed
to some dates. We’re just getting them firmed up with people’s schedules, but nobody’s trying to avoid the bargaining table,” commented CUPE National Representative, Keith Neilson. “We’ll see how that goes and whether there’s the need to exercise the strike vote.” The CUPE 3004 members involved are employed at the Elkford Community Conference Centre, Aquatic Centre, Recreation Centre,
Public Works, District Offices and the Fire Hall. The municipal workers provide a number of public services to the community, including garbage collection, water and sewage treatment, road maintenance, administrative and financial services, tourism, programming, swim lessons, boat licensing, arena and facility maintenance, and parks and playgrounds.