Oak Bay News, December 13, 2013

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Airing his beefs

Oak Bay man criticizes plan to cut pharmacy rewards Page A3

NEWS: Funding slashed for ESL training /A3 ARTS: Ensemble plays for the love of Bach /A7 SPORTS: Grizzlies V.2 take to ice after shakeup /A10

OAK BAYNEWS Friday, December 13, 2013

www.vicnews.com

UVic profs to take union vote Faculty rep says required amount signed cards

Terry Calveley, left, president of Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society, and Kim Bentzon, rescue station chair, show the cramped quarters in the society’s current boathouse at Oak Bay Marina. The non-profit organization is shifting its focus back onto the major project.

Kyle Slavin News staff

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

Boathouse in need of a rescue Oak Bay Sea Rescue volunteers hope third time’s the charm for new facility plan Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society hopes its latest boathouse replacement proposal will be approved after years of attempts. The volunteer-based organization has outgrown its current facility, which was built in 1990. The boathouse, located at the end of Christopher Sun one pier at Oak Reporting Bay Marina,

doesn’t have space for training, equipment or storage. “We have been relying on the generosity of member’s basements to store equipment and the generosity of other organizations for meeting space,” said society president Terry Calveley. “The yacht club generously gave us space to use their foreshore dock. They have been great and have not asked us to leave.” Kim Bentzon, volunteer spokesman and former station leader, said rescued people currently have to be dropped off at the dock. “We need a rescue station, a

had a break-in and we had approximately $3,500 of equipment key for search and rescue stolen,” Calveley said. “There was a night vision goggle worth $2,500 stolen. That’s $2,500 that could have gone to the boathouse.” The non-profit society relies heavily on donations and grants and has no office or paid staff. The new boathouse would also serve as a training space and provide more storage for rescue equipment.

place to bring people we rescue to warm up and wait for the ambulance,” he said. “We need a safe, warm place for all people involved in a rescue to rest.” The boathouse is also unsafe because the pathway sways on windy days and when boats create large wakes. As such, the group cannot conduct tours or other community engagement inside the facility. Also, the Zodiac rescue boat does not properly fit, and trespassing and theft are issues since the boathouse is not easily secured. “In January two years ago, we

PLEASE SEE:

Boathouse project, Page A6

For the first time in the University of Victoria’s 50-year history and in the wake of a successful certification drive, professors and librarians will have a chance to vote on forming a union. Jason Price, vicepresident of the UVic Faculty Association, announced Thursday that more than the required 45 per cent of its 850 members signed the necessary membership cards. “I can’t help but think of the historic significance of this,” he said, referring to former unionization attempts made by the association in 1988, 1999 and 2008. “It makes sense that it took 25 years to make a decision because it’s an important one.” Price said faculty members seeking unionization isn’t about salaries. Currently, as an association, they don’t FINE CUSTOM JEWELLERS have the power to grieve issues such as working conditions, tenure and long-term disability during contract negotiations with the university.

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PLEASE SEE:

BARCLAY S Union vote, Page A6

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