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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-02-23, Page 4newer Luc&mew Seaduel, Wediseamisky, Felivuunr 23, I!83 --Page 4 Hospital approves raises for nurses and nursing assistants By Henry Hese Employees of the Wingham and District Hospital have been awarded pay raises of nine per cent and five per cent respectively for the fiscal years 1982-83 and 1983-84. The increase is retroactive to October 1, 1982, and will bring the starting salary for a graduate nurse to S24,852, rising to $26,088 on October 1, 1983. For a nurse with seven years' experience, the salary will rise to 328,308 this year and S29,724 next year. Salaries for registered nursing assistants are about two-thirds of those paid to registered nurses. The hospital board approved the raises last week, after hearing they are the maximum permitted under the provincial government's wage and salary guidelines and reflect the settlements agreed on by the Ontario Nurses' Association and the Canad- ian Union of Public Employees. In the past, the hospital, although it is non-union, generally has followed the settle- ments of those two unions, Finance Chairman Robert Pike reminded the board, and his committee proposed following them again this year. "So, we're nine and fivers," commented Pike. He also reported the hospital had received a letter from the inflation restraint board, confirming it falls into the category in which nine and five are the maximum settlements permitted for this period. "Have ONA and CUPE decided to stay within the rates set by the government?" Dr. Don Jolly wondered. He was told the unions have settled at those rates. "How about the doctors?" Rev. Ken Innes inquired. "A deal is a deal!" Dr. Jolly responded. "We bargained in good faith, and it's too bad if the government didn't." Noreen Gnay asked about the starting rate for nurses here, and how it compares to other hospitals. She was told the rates here should be comparable to other hospitals. In other financial business, the board agreed with recommendations by the finance committee to increase the rates charged for semi -private and private rooms, as well as the rent charged to other health agencies using hospital facilities and the mileage rate paid to employees using their own cars on hospital business. The rates of rooms were raised by about nine per cent to $48 a day for private rooms and $26 for semi -private rooms. The old rates, set last year, were $44 and $24. These rates are higher than those charged by most other hospitals, the board was told, but do include some "extras" such as free television and telephone. The hospital even investigated the possib- ility of renting small colour sets instead of the black and white TV sets currently offered, Executive Director Norman Hayes reported, but the cost is prohibitive -- more than twice that of black and white -- and there were not enough to go around. "Perhaps some where down the road well be able to provide colour." Hayes added that, despite the higher cost of the rooms, they are still in demand. Many people have health insurance to cover the additional fee for semi -private or private hospital accommodation, he noted. The new rates will take effect April 1, 1983. The rental fees charged to the Mental Health Resource Centre and the Huron County Health Unit were raised to $330 and $240 a month respectively. The board was told these reflect what the hospital considers is fair market value for the space they use. The fees had not been raised for two years, so the increase of 13.6 per cent works out to 6.8 per cent averaged over the two years, board members were told. The mileage rate was raised to 19 cents per kilometre from 17 cents. This works out to about 30.4 cents a mile. Ashfield WMS study south sea islands The February meeting of Ashfield W.M.S. was held at the home of Mrs. Henry MacKenzie Thursday, Feb- ruary 17. After dessert and tea, Mrs. Allan MacDonald open- ed the meeting with a call to worship. Mrs. Russell Swan gave the devotions, Ways sin deceives us. She closed with a poem, The End of the Road is but a Bend in the Road, by Helen Steiner Rice, and prayer. The roll call, a verse on Love, was answered by 10 members. Mrs. Allan MacDonald presented the second chapter of the study on the Pacific Islands. With maps and post- ers she reviewed the geog- raphy, racial and cultural back ground of some of the islands, dealing mainly with Tahiti, Fiji and Hawaii. With Kinlough girl returns home Lois Nicholson returned home from visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Allan Nicholson and family at Wallaceburg. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burt visited Thursday with Mr. and Mrs. Howard Thompson at Ripley and on Sunday with friends at Brucelea Haven, Walkerton. Pearl Lloyd and Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Lloyd of Burling ton visited on Saturday with Edna and May Boyle. Mr. and Mrs. John Siecker of St. Helens spent Saturday evening with Mr. and Mrs, Fred Page, concession 10. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Nich- olson visited on Saturday with Mr. and Mrs. Alex Stewart at Millarton. Recent visitors with Mr, and Mrs. Bill MacPherson, R. R. 1 Holyrood, were Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wall, Mr. and Mrs. Morley Wall of Teeswater, Mr. and Mrs, Grant Wall, Wingham and Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Lane, Kinlough, increased tourism comes the need for more airports, high- ways, hotels etc. She pointed out that as tourists we should practice a code of ethics when visiting other count- ries. We should be good listeners and respect them in every way. The Christian church is trying to help these people to preserve their heritage and tradition. Offertory prayer was given by Mrs. Ewan MacLean and also the Glad Tidings review. Mrs. Henry MacKenzie, president, presided for the business and thanked all who had helped with the pro- gram. The meeting closed with prayer by Mrs. Ewan MacLean. The members then stayed to quilt on a quilt for Ewart College or the Home for Unwed Mothers at Armagh. PIONEER. SEEDCORN PERFORMANCE 1P011 CAN COUNTON 3859 NEW from Pioneer! This 80 day hybrid produces top yields of high quality grain. 3859 has excellent stalk strength and prod- uces best at high plant population. 3851 A NEW Pioneer hybrid with tremendous seedling vigour, excellent stands- billty, fast drydown and outstanding yield potent- ial. Your Pioneer Sales Representative is: Bruce Raynard 528-3502 PIONEER. BRAND SEED CORN Pioneer is a brand name numbers identity vane11e5 Fiewslered trademark licensed to Pioneer w Bred Limited Chatham Ontario GREAT NEWS OUR FARM PROGRESS '83 SPECIAL EDITION is coming MARCH 16th This special publication will appear In Lucknow, Wingham, Clinton, Kincardine and ©oderich areas. Don't watt - give Tom Thompson a call at 524-8331, or Pat Livingston at 528-2822 - Today. Deadline for advertising is March 10, 1983. LUCKNOW SENTINEL CKNOW 528.2821 "1r ,✓