Members of Westman Lab – Local 351 plan to send a message today to the Pallister government, in the form of an information picket, saying that lower wages and the loss of experienced lab technologists could compromise diagnostic services in Westman. A release on their web site indicates that technologists are paid 7% less in Western Manitoba than they are paid in other areas of the Province. The report goes on to say that they are also losing experienced staff as lab technicians can go elsewhere in the province, and make more money. MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said in the release “Last year alone, we’re looking at more than a 20% turn-over rate. It’s a situation that’s unfair to those doing the exact same job for less, and to those in the area whose diagnostic services end up taking the hit.” “This inequity is unfair and unproductive,” Gawronsky said. “With the election and all the changes, our members have been patient, but they’ve had enough. The employer cancelled our last bargaining date. With staff shortages, people are burning out from unmanageable workloads and worried about service implications for their community.” The information picket is scheduled to take place outside the Brandon Regional Health Centre today from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. People are invited to come down and show their support.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba Portage La Prairie RCMP respond to fatal motor vehicle collision on PR 242. On April 16, 2017, at approximately 5:30 pm, Portage La Prairie RCMP responded to a single-vehicle rollover on PR 242 at Municipal Road 60 North, located 10 kms south of the Trans-Canada Highway in the RM of North Norfolk. Officers attended and located a SUV in the ditch and discovered that the driver had been ejected from the vehicle. The 61-year-old male driver, from the RM of North Norfolk, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators believe the driver, who was southbound on PR 242 at the time, lost control of his vehicle, which entered the ditch and rolled. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision. A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The CIFA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) is recalling High Liner Captain's Crew brand breaded fish strips and High Liner Captain's Crew brand breaded fish nuggets from the marketplace as they may contain milk, which is not identified on the label. There has already been a reported illness associated with this product and the CIFA say people with milk allergies face serious, or potentially life-threatening reactions if consumed. If you have either of these products in your home, you are asked to throw them out immediately, or return them to the store where they were purchased. Both products have been sold nationally. Read the full report. Recalled products Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC High Liner Captain's Crew Breaded Fish Strips 750 g 7082U, 7048U, 7006U, 6293U followed by a time stamp 0 61763 06871 3 High Liner Captain's Crew Breaded Fish Nuggets 750 g 7082U, 7048U, 7006U followed by a time stamp 0 61763 06875 1

Brandon Police Service Media Release A 27-year old Brandon female has a May 15h court date after a Brandon Police Officer was kicked in the head while making an arrest in Brandon on Friday morning. Police say they received an early morning call from a female, indicating she had been assaulted. However, upon arrival it was determined the female had assaulted a male, following a disagreement between the two. The police attempted to arrest the female when she became combative, kicking an officer in the head in the process. Eventually she was taken into custody and charged with numerous offenses including: Domestic Assault, Assault Peace Officer, Resist Arrest and Uttering Threats.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba Treherne RCMP respond to several break and enters during early morning hours. On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at approximately 2:45 am, Treherne RCMP officers were alerted to an alarm at a service station in St. Claude. Officers arrived and discovered the front door smashed and the cash register stolen. Officers received another alarm 45 minutes later at a convenience store in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes. Upon arrival, they found that the store had been broken into. Security cameras installed in the store captured two suspects smashing the front window and entering the store. The suspects are then seen exiting the store with cigarettes and getting into a white pickup truck believed stolen from the Mariapolis area. One suspect is described as being in his early 20’s with medium build, short hair with sideburns, wearing dark coloured clothing, a camouflaged baseball cap, and white runners. The second suspect is also described as having a medium build, dark coloured clothing and white runners. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Treherne RCMP at 204-723-2024 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). The investigation is continuing.