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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-03-23, Page 3JWTH"F NIFW Times -Advocate, March 23, 1984 Page 3 Reassessments expected from UIC for former workers of General Manufactured Housing By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff HENSALL - Over the next two weeks former employees of Gener- al Manufactured Housing will be receiving reassessment notices from Unemployment Insurance Canada. This is expected to be a major step towards the resolution of an on-going battle the workers have faced with UI since they re- ceived additional money through a provincial wage protection pro- gram. "The people who handle each employee's claim will be at a meet- ing with payment and recovering officials so questions can be an- swered in full," said Jerry Lamport at Huron Bruce MP Paul Steckle's office. "1 have been assured any pay- ment stated in these notices will be held until the meeting takes place," he said. "These will bespecific, private meetings for each individu- al affected." A group of the former employees were present at a social security re- form Steckle held in Clinton on Thursday. "We were treated like criminals," said Jim Switzer, one of the work- ers dealing with UI. "That's why we're here tonight," said Steckle. "We want to deal with the problems in the system." "This is not the employee's fault. I would like to see 'all forgiven'," he said after the meeting. "But it's not that simple." Problems for these workers began in 1990. Many had to file for unemploy- ment insurance benefits when they found themselves out of work after the Hensall company entered into receivership. The workers trouble with UI start- ed when they were later paid termi- nation as well as vacation pay Winter still taking its toll EXETER - Spring might official- ly be here, but the police are still dealing with winter weather on lo- cal roads. The Exeter OPP say there were seven serious accidents in their de- tachment area last week. Most of them were linked to weather condi- tions making roads slippery or diffi- cult to travel. One collision last Tuesday morn- ing left two people with minor inju- ries. The OPP say Cheryl Turner of RR1 Zurich was driving along Ste- phen Concession 2-3 when she col- lided with a farm tractor being driv- en by Myron Oestreicher of RR 1 Exeter. Both Turner and Oestreicher re- ceived injuries in the accident. While damage to the tractor was re- ported as light by the OPP, damage to Turner's vehicle was considered major. The OPP are also appealing to anyone with information about last Sunday night's break-in at the South Huron Recreation Centre. They are asking that tips about the crime can be either directed to the detachment at 235-1300, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-265-1777. owned to them when the provincial Workers Protection Act kicked in. That was in July 1992. By December 1993, most work- ers received notice from UI that some unemployment benefits had to be paid back to the federal gov- ernment because of the additional money sent to them through the provincial program. For most employees that means paying back more than $2,500. One of the issues at hand for the workers is that UI is accusing them of not properly declaring their fi- nances when they applied for bene- fits. However, the Wage Protection Act didn't come into existence until several months after the company closed. Many employees said that they didn't know they would be receiv- ing money through the provincial system when they first filed for benefits. Switzer said collection agencies are calling some of the workers who owe the money and others are afraid of having their assets frozen if the money isn't paid soon. "If I kill someone, I'm innocent until proven guilty, yet under Ul I'm guilty and have w prove my own innocence," he said. It's a matter that Steckle's office says is complicated. "Each case is different," Lamport said. More than 60 former employees expected to make individual pres- entations at a meeting with U1 offi- cials early in March. But the work- ers were disappointed with the results. If Planning Exeter's Future The Town of Exeter invites all residents and others interested in the future of the community to attend a STRATEGIC PLANNING meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Merck O. i94 at the South Huron Recreation Centre. We are Interested In your views relating to economic development, social and community services, parks and recreation, and infrastructure needs. Please plan to attend. If you wish to offer your views in advance or if you cannot attend, please write to tell us: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES WE FACE IN THE FUTURE? Address - P.O. Box 759, 406 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 Phone 235-0310 for further information • A r-Nt FRESH NEW i! Tide 599 Bo, 1 Toupie Hams 439 kg. 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