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Times-Advocate, 1978-03-16, Page 1Violence flares on Violence flared on the picket line at Fleck Manufacturing, Tuesday, as 250 United Auto Workers from the Ford Talbotville plant smashed windows, overturned a car and threatened newsmen during their visit to Huron Park. Two busloads of workers, plus others who made the trip by car to support the striking Fleck workers, went about their wanton destruction with no police interference. The OPP reported they didn’t want a confrontation, and they stood .guard at the main gate to the industrial park while the UAW members attacked the plant. However, police indicate charges may be laid. They’re studying photos taken by plainclothes of­ ficers who were mingling with the workers involved in the show of force. Huron-Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell attacked Solicitor-General George Kerr in the legislature later in the day for not calling in police reinforcements when he knew the Tablotville workers planned to join the Huron Park picket line. Riddell also told reporters he thinks charges should be laid in connection with the incidents. "I don’t think we can simply stand to have people violate the Criminal Code without doing something about it and that’s why we have a police force”. The Fleck plant was clos­ ed Tuesday as management decided against a direct con­ frontation with the massed UAW supporters. The workers from Ford arrived at Huron Park short­ ly after 6:00 a.m. and milled around the main entrance. Two of the men were injured during an incident at the gate when they attempted to stop a car driven by an employee of Protective Plastics. James Collins, London, arrived for work around 6:30 a.m. and as he and his brother-in-law, Jerry Burnett, attempted to drive through the vehicle was about 15 men rock the car. The driver, some witnesses, accelerated and two men were thrown off the car hood. The two, Neil Crozier and Vince Fleming, both of London, were taken to South Huron gates, their beseiged by who began to according to Hospital for treatment and released. Collins said he was never going more than 15 m.p.h. as he attempted to drive through the picket line. Later in the morning, about 10 UAW workers found his car at the Protec­ tive Plastic plant and tried to tip it over on its roof. They succeeded in tipping it over on its side and then proceeded to kick in the roof and smash the windshield. The car was almost a total wreck when they finished. During the two and a half hours the UAW members were at Huron Park, some large windows were smash­ ed at Fleck Manufacturing by boards and rocks. The mood grew ugly at one time with some talk of rushing inside the plant, va­ cant except for two security guards inside. After learning that the company-hired bus carrying non-strikers to Fleck would not arrive on Tuesday, the Ford workers began to leave around 8:45 a.m. The OPP had 20 officers at the Exeter detachment, along with some parked in cruisers along the Crediton Road, but they were not sent down into an already inflam­ matory situation. "Common sense told us not to call more people (police) down there,” com­ mented Exeter OPP Sgt. Ray Glover. "There was enough trouble down there, so why make more?” On Wednesday morning, over 50 Fleck employees passed through the picket line in a bus and four cars without incident. Bert Rovers, UAW 1520’s benefits representative at the Ford Talbotville plant accompanied the Tuesday delegation and said he felt the trip was successful. He continued, "First of all there was a good turnout from our Talbotville plant and secondly the police stayed away. Sure, there were a few things broken, but, the breakage was minimal, nothing compared to the wages being lost.” "If the Fleck workers would get the 75 cents per hour they are asking for they would still be within the poverty line”, Rovers add­ ed. Rovers concluded, "We will be watching the situa­ tion very closely and if Huron Park picket line necessary will come back in greater numbers. Also, if Fleck workers decide to come to our plant to set up picket lines, I would there is a good chance workers would honour their strike and not cross lines.” Talbotville plant chair­ man Ron Pellerin said the Ford Motor Company is us­ ing 90 percent of the products manufactured by Fleck at Huron Park. He added, "Fleck-made auto parts are not used at Talbotville but they are at Oakville and in the United States. We will be talking tn Ford about this and up­ holding the obligation of our office.” A London UAW represen­ tative. Bob Nickerson, also in attendance at Fleck Tues­ day said. "We are ready to start negotiations at any time. It’s up to the company. They are the ones that broke our previous talks oft'.’ ENMASSEPICKETERS — More than 300 employees of the Ford plant at Tuesday morning. A portion of the large group is shown above. At one time Talbotville joined local workers of Fleck Manufacturing on the picket lines they threatened to enter the building. T-A photo i... Serving One Hundred and Fifth Year imes - Advocate erving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 16, 1978 Price Per Copy 25 Cents CAR IS OVERTURNED — A car owned by a worker at Protective Plastics was overturned Tuesday morning when the driver was mistaken for a Fleck employee by visiting picketers from the Ford Talbotville plant. In the above picture three of the visitors look at the damaged vehicle. T-A photo Deficit depends on grants Rec budget $165,140 050. bar $7,500. The swimming pool is ex­ pected to run at a deficit, but not as great as last year’s when it lost over $5.- 000. Ohe difference this year in cost over revenue has been listed at $1,800. The recreational programs, which include special events such as theatre and puppet shows, gymnastics and movies are expected to run at close to break even. Only four members Teachers reject latest board offer, may present counter offer next week WINDOWS BROKEN — A number of windows were broken at the Fleck Manufacturing plant at Huron Park Tuesday mor­ ning by UAW demonstrators from the Ford plant at Talbot­ ville. Tpe above picture shows a window being broken and the completed damage is shown below. T-A photo board’s latest offer. Weary called the proposal "in­ significant” in settling the main issues of the strike. The teachers and board may meet as early as next Tuesday to resume negotiations. The secondary teachers said that the reason that they want.a two yeaj? agree­ ment is because of the lateness of the present negotiations for this years contract and the fact that the same procedures would have to begin soon for the 78- 79 school year. Weary said that the OSSTF local has not yet formed a counter-proposal but that voluntary arbitra­ tion could be a part. She said that OSSTF feels that the dispute will end up in binding arbitration as set down in bill 100 and as ad­ ministered by the provin­ cially appointed education relations committee. Chairman of the Huron board. John Elliott, when ° reached by the T-A about their reaction to the teacher’s latest move said "Our reaction is one of dis­ appointment.” He stated that he felt progress had been made and he expressed disappoint­ ment that the board’s offer had not been put to the full .Monday for the first time in a month. The teachers left the board office about 5:15 p.m. with the latest board offer heading for their own office. E.C. Hill, chairman of the board’s negotiating com­ mittee said on Monday that he hoped that word on the board’s offer would have been received sometime this week. The dispute centres around the payment of the sick leave gratuity and the number of students that a teacher will handle in a day. membership of the local OSSTF. When asked if the board would be willing to meet as early as next Tuesday. Elliott stated the boards’ negotiating team would have to meet and evaluate the teachers’ move. He said that the letter received from the teachers indicated that negotiations could not resume until after the March break. Negotiators for the board and OSSTF returned to the bargaining table, at 4 p.m. Striking Huron county secondary school teachers have rejected the board’s latest offer, OSSTF spokesperson Shirley Weary announced at a press con­ ference, yesterday. In a prepared statement Weary stated "The offer proposed little to resolve the problems that have led to the strike-lockout situation. As a result, it will not be presented to the membership of District 45. ” The statement also called for a collective agreement that would cover both the 1977-78 and 1978-79 school years. Weary stated that the board was notified of the teacher’s intentions via a letter addressed to director of education John Cochrane early Wednesday afternoon. Although no mention was made of the details of the Dashwood water The South Huron rec cen­ tre board of management deliberated for another three hours on their budget this week, before giving "tentative approval" to figures which call for operating expenditures of $165,140 and a capital outlav of $22,500. Projected revenue, ex­ cluding grants, was outlined by administrator Kirk Armstrong at $122,000. leav­ ing a deficit of $65,640. Board members an­ ticipate a ministry of recreation and culture grant of $6,000 to apply against the operating expenditures, mainly for salaries, and a further grant is expected for the redevelopment of the community park. The board has set aside $10,000 for the park project, reducing by $5,000 the amount they had originally planned to put in this years budget. It is the major item in the capital account. Another $6,000 is included for the purchase of a new tractor for the arena. At Monday’s meeting, the board approved payment of that figure for a tractor bid submitted by Sherwood (Ex­ eter) Ltd. It was the lowest of four bids received. The price included federal sales tax and members aren’t cer­ tain they have to pay that tax. Salaries constitute the,, major portion of the operating budget. They are expected to hit $71,500 and include all the full time and part time personnel re­ quired for the operation of the rec centre, concession, swimming pool and various recreation programs. Utilities constitute the next largest expenditure. The PUC bill for the rec cen­ tre has been anticipated at $16,000 and another $1,000 for the swimming pool. The gas bills are expected to be $15,000 for the centre and $1,000 for the pool. Stock for the concessions was listed at $30,000 and this also showed up as one of the largest revenue sources at a figure of $50,000. for an an­ ticipated profit of $20,000. Revenue from the arena OPP WAITING FOR BUS — Members of the Ontario Provincial Police outnumbered pickets Monday morning as they waited was set at $32,000. hall $7.- to allow a bus carrying workers to the strike-bound Fleck Manufacturing plant to enter the ODC gates. T-A photo Pick recreation sub committee Exeter’s recreation sub­ committee has been official­ ly appointed by the South Huron rec centre board of management. Returning to the com­ mittee are Arn Mathers and Kenley Campbell, while new members include Marlene Parsons, Scott Burton. Bill Brock and Ruth Durand. The former served for several years on RAP. Kirk Armstrong and Alvin Willert serve on the com- mittee in ex-officio capacities. The committee is respon­ sible for all recreation in Exeter and works directly under the rec centre board, who last week were named as Exeter’s recreation com­ mittee to comply with regulations of the ministry of culture and recreation. attended the budget deliberations this week, Bob Down. Bruce Shaw, Howard Pym and Jerry MacLean. Absent were Steve Pfaff, Don Finkbeiner and Kim McLean. The board will take the proposed budget to the three area municipalities for their April council meetings. Wading not settled The board made no deci­ sion about the operation of the Victoria Park wading pool, although there was a hint it may not operate this summer. Chairman Bob Down said if residents of the park area wish to have the pool open­ ed, they should consider providing volunteer help to staff it in the same way that other organizations provide the leadership for recreational programs such as minor hockey and figure skating. In the past, staff members from the swimming pool have supervised the activi­ ty. which provides no revenue. The major portion of Mon­ day’s discussion was in rela­ tion to the board’s expen­ ditures for the current year. At their next meeting, members anticipate deliberation on the matter of rates for the various ac­ tivities and rentals. These have been held in abeyance since January when suggested rate increases were tabled by Armstong. Trial date set for union duo A trial date of April 25,1978 has been set in the charges of obstructing police and blocking a highway against Albert Edward Seymour and Rene Robert Montague during a recent incident at the Fleck Manufacturing strike at Huron Park. Landmark is removed for new development One of Exeter’s land­ marks fell victim to the wreckers’ hammers this week to make way for a large commercial develop­ ment on Main St. The former office of Dr. M.C. Fletcher, who served the community for 50 years prior to his death last year, will be demolished and a new building is being plann­ ed by local developer Len Veri. Veri told the T-A this week his plans are not far enough advanced to release details of the commercial complex, although he did say the new building, covering most of the lot, will probably be join- ed to the former Chainway facility to make one unit, Discussions are still un­ derway with possible tenants, Veri said, adding it may be another couple of weeks before an announce­ ment is made as to the type of facility that will be developed. “I can enhance area,” reported. He said he had hoped to save the former doctor’s of­ fice and incorporate it into the plans, but his architect found that an impossibility due to the condition of the old structure. say the the that it will downtown developer engineering soon Engineering studies on a proposed water system for the police village of Dashwood will be getting un­ derway in the very near future. Neil McMullen and John Timko of the Ontario Ministry of the environment told Stephen council Tues­ day that the province would supply the monies to carry out the necessary engineer­ ing. The Environment Ministry officials said the supply of water for Dashwood would come from the Lake Huron pumping station north of Grand Bend and would be transported through an eight inch line. A preliminary plan presented to the township and the police village more than a year ago included a water tower but this has been deleted for the new proposal. At the annual Dashwood ratepayers meeting held about a month ago. trustee chairman George Tieman suggested that costs could be cut if the tower was eliminated and this received approval from local residents. Stephen clerk Wilmar Wein said Monday that only one fire hydrant would be in­ stalled under present plans and the present Dashwood fire protection system would be continued. After the engineering study is completed a public meeting of Dashwood ratepayers will be held to consider the proposed system. Wein said it was quite possible that tenders could be called for the Dashwood water system by late fall of this year. At the same meeting, the Environment officials said engineering studies for similar water systems in Centralia and Crediton would be started in the spr­ ing of 1979. Sources for the supply of water for these other two police villages other than the pipeline are being investigated. Gets 55-day term A Mitchell man was sentenced to a total of 55 days in jail in Exeter Provincial Court Tuesday by His Honour Judge W. G. Cochrane. Wayne Ralph McCauley pleaded guilty to four separate charges of break, enter and theft. Three of the occurrences date back to 1976 and the other was early this year. McCauley was charged with the theft of power tools and an air conditioner valued at $1,000 from Traylor Industries in Hensail on July 24, 1976. This viction brought a jail tence of 30 days probation of one year. The second offence place September 16, when he stole a pickup truck valued at more than $200. The conviction brought five days in jail. con- sen- and took 1976 Two days later he stole a 1973 automobile, the property of Huron Collision. The vehicle was damaged to the extent of $3,000. This occurrence drew another five days in jail. Judge Cochrane added another 15 days in convicting McCauley of the theft of tools valued at $700 from Slaght Plumbing and Heating in Crediton on January 7, 1978. Only $50 of the stolen property has been recovered. Judge Cochrane was told many of the cases would not have been solved if the ac­ cused had not co-operated. Two men were each fined $250 and had their licences suspended for three months on charges of impaired driving. They were Glen G. Bur- ston, RR 1, Brownsville and Victor Peter Glover, Exeter. Usborne approve five contract bids At its regular March meeting. Usborne township council accepted the successful fender bids on five different contracts. The contract to supply 10.- 000 gallons of road oil at 30.7 cents per gallon was let to C A N A N C o m p a n y o f Breslau. Jennison Construction of Grand Bend was the successful bidder for the gravelling contract. The Grand Bend firm will crush and spread 18.000 cubic yards of gravel to township roads for $25,560 and will receive $1,800 for the crushing and stockpiling of 2.000 cubic yards of gravel Motorola Electronics Sales Limited will be supply­ ing the township with an Fin two-way radio system for the sum of $5,745.41. The necessary supply of 220 flaked ton’s of liquid calcium chloride for the summer roads program will be supplied by Pollard Bros, of Harrow for $96.50 per flaked ton equivalent. All of the four contracts are subject to approval of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Com­ munications. Petrofina Canada Limited was awarded the township fuel contract. The accepted prices were diesel fuel 73.5 cents per gallon; gasoline 86 cents per gallon: furnace oil 51.9 cents per gallon and stove oil 56.5 cents per gallon. An application is being made to the Ministry of Transportation and Com­ munications for an ad­ ditional subsidy of $10,000 for the FM two-way radio system and municipal drain levies. An application from Elmore McBride for a land severance on part of Lot 15, Concession 3 was approved with a consideration of $15 being required. A bylaw appointing members to the Kirkton- Woodham Community Cen­ tre board was passed and will he forwarded to the township of Blanshard for their approval. Members are Mervyn Shute, Norris Atthill. Bill Morley, David Williams, Reg Morrison, Keith Stephens, Marwood Willis, Bill Schaefer. Lloyd Fletcher and Gerald Fran­ cis. Included as directors at large are Bob Marshall, Ron Denham, Al Eveleigh, Bill Waghorn and John Simpson.