TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
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NEW SPA FOR MOMS
HUNDREDS FIND FUN AT FAIR
A full page of photos from the 45th annual Lighthouse Country Fall Fair
Business profile features Rock-A-Bear Baby
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BACK TO WORK IN QUALICUM
Union wins 2% battle CUPE workers get raise requested from the start AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Qualicum Beach town employees were back at work Friday morning after a surprise resolution to the five-week lockout. As of last Tuesday talks had broken down, with the union taking management to a Labour Relations Board (LRB) bad faith hearing. Town chief administrative officer Daniel Sailland said that while preparing for the hearing Friday, around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, “we were contacted by our solicitor who stated that the union is interested in settling the matter outside of the hearing, including the collective agreement.” “The outcome of those negotiations was that we ended up receiving sufficient legal confirmation on all of the outstanding issues, including the IT position,” Sailland told The NEWS Friday. “We have been working through the evening,” CUPE Local 401 President Blaine Gurrie e-mailed The NEWS at 9:30 p.m. Thursday with the day’s surprising conclusion. At 11:18 p.m. he e-mailed that “After a month of being locked out of their jobs, our Qualicum Beach workers are heading back to work Friday.” “We are glad to be able to return to our focus of helping to make Qualicum Beach the great community it is,” he added in a statement. “The town approved the same recommendations handed down by a provincial mediator and ratified by CUPE Local 401 members last week,” he wrote. “The new contract contains the modest two per cent per year wage increases we have insisted on since bargaining began.” Sailland confirmed the deal includes nine per cent total increases, including two per cent per year for each of the first four years (retroactive to 2014) and one per cent for the final half year. Members will not receive a signing bonus. See BACK-TO-BACK, page A4
CANDACE WU PHOTO
HOT GLASS: A professional glass blower demonstrates the art of glass blowing Saturday afternoon at the Robert Held Art Glass studio. Until October 5, the studio is offering “introduction to a hot glass experience” where people can learn all about the craft of glass blowing t the studio along East Island Highway. For reservations call 250-586- 4353.
STUDENTS BACK IN CLASSES THIS WEEK
Positive start for school year JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
The 4,000 students heading back to classes this week in District 69 will likely notice a different, more positive feel and focus in their schools, according to the lead voices for teachers and administrators. There is no provincial labour dispute — pending, happening or just ending. The closure and reconfiguration of schools — with the pain, confusion and anger that caused — has had time to settle, time for grieving.
“This year really feels like a fresh slate,” said School District 69 Superintendent Rollie Koop. “I think everybody is looking for an opportunity to get back to the work of teaching an learning in ways that we are used to.” The president of the local teachers association agreed. “I’m sure it’s going to be a very positive start in our schools,” said Mount Arrowsmith Teachers’ Association’s Roberta Heinrichs. “I’m looking forward to seeing my colleagues beginning their year without trepi-
dation, with excitement and with a good rest.” The district won’t know exactly how many students it will have in K-12 classes this year until later this month, but Koop said he’s heard anecdotally “there’s a real influx in the number of folks from Alberta.” The new school year in B.C. is the start of a three-year transition to a new curriculum that Education Minister Mike Bernier said last week will emphasize “hands-on” learning.
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