Brenda's new job

Bye Bye Waste Management, hello Social Services. My original goal when I applied to Halton Region 7 years ago, was to start at an "entry level position" (Customer Service) and start applying immediately to Social and Community Services (S&SC) positions so that I could eventually become a Case Worker/Intake Worker. Little did I know that S&CS is a unionized department and the only way in is to be hired as a "relief" caseworker and work my up to Full-time permanent case worker.

The definition of "relief" (other than ROLAIDS) is to fill in for staff that are off sick or on mat. leave or on vacation so there is NO guarantee of hours, no benefits and no vacation. The pay is still good, ($3.00/hr more than what I was making)but a huge risk to leave a full-time perm position.

7 years ago, this option was financially impossible so I've had to bide my time in Customer Service and then Waste Management. Finally, postings starting coming up for Relief Worker we are now able to take the risk so as of April 18th, I quite my job in Waste (very sad day as I LOVE my co-workers and will miss them so much) and Apr. 21 I began training as a Social Service Worker - relief staff. Although I still work for Halton Region, I no longer have seniority or benefits, but I am able to keep my pension.

My new job has me in training for 6 weeks (yeah, I get paid for that) and then I sit at home eating bon bons waiting for the phone to ring. When I do get called in, my job could be many things, all based around people applying for Ontario Works or child Care Subsidy or Low Income Housing...and many other social services. Fortunately, summer vacation will be upon us soon and I am told that there will be no shortage of work for a very long time...they are hiring more relief workers as we speak. I will most likely have a contract (mat. leave or sick leave)very soon and will eventually apply for any permanent positions as they come up.

I am so incredibly stoked about this new job and I feel like I finally have a career for the first time, not just a job. You could see many more blogs from me, as I may have a lot more time on my hands, but I hope not! Any financial donations are greatly appreciated! lol!

Home From a Great Vacation

Home from a great vacation in Cuba with a sweet tan! We stayed at the SuperBreezes Club Jibocoa with four other amazing couples celebrating our friends 25th Wedding Anniversary. The weather was wonderful and we made some great memories!
Now, back to reality. I returned to a VERY busy time at work as we roll out our GreenCart Organics Program this coming Monday. We have all been working around the clock (I have 30 hours o/t this week) and hopefully all goes well. Paul has had some stress at work as well as Dofasco...a very "family freindly" company has been considering a union. Turns out, not gonna happen this time so we are very relieved about that.

Brad has great "work" news, he has been promoted from "buser" to "Food Runner" at The Keg and is now making $9.00/hour! Maybe his dream of attending Vancouver Film School (20,000.00/year) will come true! lol. Kevin is obviously the family slacker with no job at all yet...come on, he's almost 13 years old!

We were really bummed that we missed a visit with Scott, Shiobhan and girls, hopefully we'll get a chance to visit with each other soon.