EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Successful Java Jam returning to Red Barn Page 6
Shuswap Totems part of local hockey heritage Page 8
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 PM40008236
Vol. 59 No. 9 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
District comes to agreement with CUPE By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
District of Sicamous’ unionized employees are set to receive an 11 per cent wage increase with the recent settlement of a new collective agreement. Last week, both the district and CUPE 1908 announced the completion of the six-year agreement, which is retroactive to March 2012 when the previous agreement expired. “It was really important to us to look at more than wages, and negotiate fair labour practices for all employees in the bargaining unit,” said district chief administrative officer Heidi Frank in a Feb. 19 release. “The union made it clear from the onset that they wanted a two per cent increase in wages. We were willing to discuss it, provided we could come up with monetary savings that would justify that increase. And we did.” Frank goes on to explain cost savings were achieved with both parties agreeing to: a reduction in on-call pay; overtime to be scheduled for all capable employees, not just those with highest seniority; a cap of six sick days per year and loss of seniority after a one-year absence. CUPE 1908 president Kevin Hansen said the agreement will provide certainty for Sicamous residents and businesses, and for the CUPE members who provide services. Along with the wage increases, Hansen said the union is also pleased to have negotiated language in the agreement that addresses “a long-standing, unfair distribution of overtime and improves members’ access to flexible working hours.” “We also achieved improvements that are important to members in the areas of compassionate leave, technological change, educational allowances, contracting out and protection for part-time and temporary staff.” CUPE 1908 national rep, Harry Nott, said the negotiation process was difficult, and that the employer required mediation assistance from the Labour Relations Board in order to arrive at the settlement. Mayor Darrell Trouton said management and the union have been working diligently to make the district a place that is fair and responsible for everyone – which he thinks they’ve achieved. “I feel this contract is a large step in the right direction – it’s not just about wages, it’s about doing the right things,” said Trouton.
On target: Dawn Backs lets go of her rock in curling action Saturday during the Sicamous Legion Funspiel. Backs and the Big Barge team, including Kevin Prystai, Sharon Dyball and Ray Phillips took first place in the A event. See page 7 for more results. Photo by Lachlan Labere
Weber the hero in hearts of community By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
If anyone can get Sicamous up at four in the morning, and cheering no less, it’s the community’s own Shea Weber. While Canada’s men’s (and women’s) hockey teams are being celebrated for their goldwinning performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, in Sicamous, Shea Weber is undoubtably the real hero of the men’s hockey event, if not the entire Games. Weber was first on the men’s team to light the board with a marker six minutes into the second period of game one versus Norway – Canada’s first win, 3-1. The Nashville Predators D-man potted his second goal of the Games during the Feb. 14 contest versus Austria. The shot was so fast, it had to be
reviewed to make home in the sure it crossed the summer. line. “He’s the Weber’s third type of guy, goal may have if you really saved Canada from know him, he’s falling to Latvia, It got grit, he’s a was scored on a leader, he leads Shea Weber power play with by example Team Canada just seven minutes and it showed to go in the third through the frame, giving Canwhole thing,” ada a 2-1 win. said Trouton. Sicamous Mayor Darrell Sicamous Eagles genTrouton was one of many up at eral manager Wayne March 4 a.m. Sunday, watching We- said Weber’s defensive play ber and Team Canada shutout throughout the Games was a Sweden with a 3-0 victory to huge factor in the Team Cantake gold. ada’s success. “Shea Weber represented “What can I say? He’s the us like the leader he is and king of Sicamous,” said March. we’re just so proud of him,” On the News’ Facebook said Trouton, adding the whole page, community residents town is buzzing over Weber, were also keen to comment and already people are look- on Weber’s performance during to celebrate his Olympic ing the Games, with Brian contribution when he returns Thurgood calling him the
“best player on Team Canada,” Cheri Sutherland saying, “he is an awesome player and a great representative for Sicamous and Canada,” and Linda Thomas stating Weber has put Sicamous on the map; “We are happy he is our local boy.” The most personal comment was by Hilda Nieme Hoas, who reflected on her small contribution to Sicamous’ hockey heritage. “When I worked and would come home, the kids were always out playing street hockey – couldn’t go down Pine St., the Beech boys were playing there, couldn’t go down Spruce St., the Weber boys were playing there and Birch Ave. usually had the Franson boys over at Grandma’s playing, so I would go down Maple to Larch to come home so these poor kids didn’t have to move their nets,” said Hoas.