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Times-Advocate, 1978-04-13, Page 1A CLOSE CALL — Fred Mommersteeg, manager of the Exeter Hawks holds the hunk of steel which smashed the bus windshield Tuesday night when the Hawks were on their way to play St, George. The piece of steel came off the back of an oncoming truck and shattered the windshield of the bus. Expect schools open today Providing that there was not an unexpected turn of events last night, Huron secondary school students returned to the classroom this morning for the first time in over a month. A tentative agreement settling the dispute was reached early Monday mor­ ning by the respective negotiating teams. The secondary school teachers met last night in Clinton to vote on the offer. The board of education ratified that agreement Tuesday after meeting behind closed doors for three hours. Times - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since .1873 One Hundred and Fifth Year & North Lambton Since .1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 13, 1978 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Clay Murray, a member of the teacher’s negotiating committee said Wednesday that the council of the local OSSTF recommended that the membership accept the contract. Murray said “Personally, I feel they will”. According to Murray, both parties will have to set aside their hard feelings and get back to the process of educa­ tion. He said that if certain committees function effec­ tively, this will go a long way in assuring that the teachers’ and board’s positions have not been damaged. Although no details of the agreement which covers the 1977-78 and 1978-79 contract years had not been released as of press time, it has been learned that salaries and the sick leave gratuity clause have not been settled for the second year of the contract. The teachers had been asking for a 13.5 percent wage increase in the second year of the contract. The board had reportly given in the teachers’ demands with regards to the pupil-period contract clause and has put the clause into the contract while using the teachers’ figures. The clause would ensure that a teacher could see only the number of students per day as spelled out in the con­ tract. A spokesman for the board said that the two sides would go to voluntary arbitration to have the two items settl­ ed. The two year contract en­ sures that there will be no repetition of the past two month’s events one year from now. The tentative settlement was reached at 5:45 a.m. Monday following 33 hours of bargaining which began 11 a.m. Saturday. Details on the talks were limited because of a news black out imposed by provincial mediator Harvey Ladd. On Monday, Shirley Weary a spokesman for District 45 of the OSSTF said she felt that the teachers would ratify the contract. While the federation coun­ cil’s endorsement of the con­ tract was not unanimous, she felt the majority would be satisfied. “I’m satisfied. I’m not leaping up and down, delirious with joy, but I think it’s a fair solution,” she said. “I think it’s a fair deal for both sides. Both sides are going to be able to live with it and I think that’s impor­ tant.” A delegation of parents from the county who had planned to meet with the Education Relations Com­ mittee on Monday postponed their trip until the votes by the teachers and the Board became known. “We are delighted we didn’t have to come down. Some people called us this morning to let us know,” Irla Stewart, one of the parents, said. “We were hoping that they could negotiate it here instead of going to arbitration.” Even near catastrophe Hawks beat everything The Exeter Hawks didn’t need any miracles to win their game on Tuesday night in St. George as they dominated play, but they did have some “luck” going for them on their trip. Just west of Paris, a large hunk of steel bounced off the back of an oncoming truck and shattered the windshield of their bus. Fortunately, the boomerang-shaped missile hit the steering wheel as it came flying into the bus. Another two or three in­ ches higher and it would have hit the driver. The impact bent the steering wheel and showered glass over the front section of the bus. The driver managed to shield himself from the flying glass and brought the vehicle under control. The team completed the trip despite the gaping hole Several moves on Main Street Several main street Exeter businesses are shifting locations starting with the move of the Bank of Nova Scotia, Monday. The official opening of the bank won’t be until April 25, but the bank should be operating fully in its new location on Monday. The move will be made over the weekend, said Arn Laith- waite, manager of the bank. The Bank of Nova Scotia plans a ribbon cutting ceremony on the 25th with Mayor Bruce Shaw of Exeter and bank officials from Toronto doing the cutting. Gaiser Kneale Insurance agency, owner of the new building, will be relocating in the same building with the bank. There is still one vacancy open for lease in the building, says Jim Kneale of Gaiser Kneale. McKnight Men’s Wear will be moving from their present location to the building the bank is vacating. Dean McKnight said a date has not been set for the move as renovations have to be carried out on the building into which they will be moving. THE MAIN ATTRACTION —- Newly elected, Canadian Labor Congress president, Dennis McDermott, right, brought 450 United Auto Workers dnd plenty of police officers into the area Wednesday as he joined the picket lines at Fleck Manufacturing. '■ A in the windshield and a new bus was dispatched from London to pick them up after the contest. A week earlier, the bus on which the Hawks were riding McKinley will seek P.C. nomination Bob McKinley, MP for Huron-Middlesex for the past 13 years, will be seek­ ing the Progressive- Conservative nomination for the next federal election. McKinley made the an­ nouncement Friday night at the Huron-Middlesex provin­ cial PC riding association meeting in Exeter. He told the 300 people present that the election would likely be held in June. After the meeting, McKinley said he was well prepared for the election when it came. “I’ve never gone into an election against a govern­ ment that has as many things to answer to their people for.” he said. McKinley predicted that national issues would overshadow local concerns in the election. “This country is in very bad shape, with the value of the dollar, inflation . . . capital punishment may even be an issue,” McKinley said. FILMING THE PICKETERS — Police photographers position­ ed on top of the community centre and a hangar next to Fleck Manufacturing photographed the picketers at the plant Wednesday. to St. George had to turn around due to heavy fog. The driver told fans on the bus he’s had some close calls in his time, but never one quite that close. The provincial riding association acclaimed their executive for next year. Bill Amos of RR 8 Parkhill was chosen president and Caley Hill of Goderich was named first vice-president. The six other vice- presidents are George Cud­ dy of Kerwood, Dr. Tom Jasper of Goderich, Oliver Jaques of Hensail, Gerald Walter of Goderich, Brenda Coates of Centralia, and Fred Dobbs of Biddulph. The chief financial officer for the PC association is Lome Kleinstiver, and Mrs. Ruth Hill of Lucan was nam­ ed secretary. Bud Gregory, MPP for Mississauga East, was the keynote speaker for the meeting. Warden Ginn brought greetings from the county of Huron, while Fred Dobbs brought greetings from the association from Middlesex county. The federal PC riding association has yet to set the date for the nomination meeting. BURN MORTGAGE — A banquet marking the 10th anniversary of the South Huron and District Association for the Mentally Retarded also was the occasion when the $130,000 mortgage on the ARC Industries building was burned. Performing the honours were (left-right) Wardens Gerry Ginn of Huron and Jack MacDonald of Lambton, the two counties which donated $40,000 to pay the mortgage off. Staff photo Avoid confrontation at Fleck The showdown between the newly elected Canadian Labour Congress president, Dennis McDermott, and police officers at Fleck Manufacturing never materialized Wednesday as the OPP kept a low profile. McDermott arrived at the gates of the industrial park shortly before 7:00 a.m. and led a march of about 450 boisterous United Auto Workers to Fleck Manufac­ turing. McDermott told reporters on the way that he wasn’t afraid of the police. “I’m an old street fighter from way back. They won’t push me around,” he said. But the CLC president kept tight reins on the marchers. Halfway to the plant, McDermott stopped the procession and told the UAW workers he didn’t want any violence. “I know you are feeling a little rumbly but this is a peaceful demonstration. Any law breaking won’t help the Fleck strikers,” he said. Police officers made no attempt to keep the marchers away from the plant. Only three police cruisers, about 50 yards away from the plant, were in the area. Other police officers were stationed on top of the recreation centre and a hanger beside Fleck Manufacturing with camera equipment. A representative of the UAW said 450 OPP officers had -been moved into the area overnight. At the plant, which did not open Wednesday McDer­ mott spoke to the picketers telling them again he wanted no violence. Several in the crowd were calling “let’s get at it”. “We’re not going inside, and we are not going to in­ cite any violence. The cops are here and they are being good boys too,” he said. McDermott said the pur­ pose of the demonstration was to provide the strikers with tangible evidence of support. He said the UAW would continue the same type of action until Fleck put their name on a collective agreement with the UAW. McDermott said James Fleck is a "personal friend of Billy Davis” and owns 50 per cent of the enterprise. “I don’t know who owns the other half, maybe Fleck’s dog,” he said. The building is owned by the ministry of tourism and industry, of which Fleck is the deputy minister. “There are far too many coincidences,” McDermott said. During his speech McDer­ mott was interrupted by several UAW workers ask­ ing what he would do about unemployment and price and wage controls. McDer­ mott told the people to “pipe down” and form ranks to SILENT SURVEILLANCE — Ontario Provincial Police were well prepared for the picketers at Fleck Wednesday with plenty of officers and equipment to keep an eye On the crowd. This remote control television camera was mounted on top of the arena at Huron Park. T-A photo UAW picketers start their march to Fleck Manufacturing, Wednesday. Retarded group celebrate, ARC mortgage is burned Over 400 people gathered at the South Huron Recrea­ tion Centre in Exeter Wednesday evening to celebrate the 10th anniver­ sary of the South Huron and District Association for the Mentally Retarded. Attending the banquet were several represen­ tatives from other associations across south­ western Ontario, Huron- Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell, wardens Gerry Ginn and Jack MacDonald of Huron and Lambton county and the guest speaker for the evening Dr. Robert Elgie. parliamentary assis­ tant to the minister of com­ munity and social services. Current Association presi- dent and master of ceremonies for the evening. Bob Southcott said, that it was only through the generous * support of the community that has made possible the work which the association has completed. He went on to add that 10 years may seem insignifi­ cant to the general public but that it has been a time which has seen much growth for the Association. Southcott said that the local association “has one of walk in a continuous circle. About half of the picketers joined in a march around the Fleck building. The picketers rocked the three police cars and draped a dead rat across the hoods. UAW organizers kept the picketers moving. A few rocks were thrown at the Fleck building and organizers decided to move the demonstration back to the main entrance to the in­ dustrial park. All cars com­ ing into the plant were stopped and turned away. A plane flew over the area with the sign “Fleck It’s Everyone’s Fight”. All the action wasn’t in SAYING HELLO — Picketers at Fleck Manufacturing Wednesday rocked and screamed at the three police cruisers near the plant. The officers inside the cars ignored the insults the strikers shouted at them. the most enviable records for volunteers in all the province” and that it has been the volunteer aspect that has enabled the Association to make much progress. Directing his remarks towards Riddell and Elgie. Southcott emphasized the important role of volunteers and asked the two MPP’s Still openings for night school SHDHS principal J.L. Wooden announced this week there were still openings in all courses being offered at the spring night school. Anyone interested may contact the school or be on hand when classes com­ mence this week. On Monday at 7:30, four courses will be offered. These include woodworking, men’s and women’s fitness and sewing. Tuesday night’s program provides instruction in weaving for beginners, first aid, basic outdoor skills and golfing instruction for beginners. Huron Park though, as a small group of Fleck picketers shut down the day shift to Ford Talbotville plant. The 1700 day workers decided to honour the picket line and refused to cross. A spokesmen from Ford said about $2.3 million worth of production was lost because of the shutdown. Labor minister Bette Stephenson said Tuesday she will not get personally in­ volved in trying to settle the strike at Fleck, despite calls from the opposition for her to take action. She said the two-man provincial disputes advisory committee now trying to settle the dispute impress upon the people at Queen’s Park that “this is the way things are done in Huron.” In a brief address to the crowd Riddell thanked the Association for their efforts and endeavours on behalf of the mentally handicapped in this area. “It’s amazing what can be done and what has been done,” he said. Elgie commended the South Huron association on the work which they had done and said that if it were not for volunteer agencies such as the Association, the province would not be able to provide the high quality of services to the mentally handicapped. Elgie expressed his thanks to the Association “for all that you have done in the past and for all that you will continue to do in the future on behalf of the mentally retarded citizens of South Huron.” Giving a brief history of the government’s attitude towards the mentally han­ dicapped. Elgie said that the turning point was the Williston Report which serv­ ed as a basis for a govern­ ment green paper. The Please turn to page 3 should be given an oppor­ tunity to do its work. f The strike at Fleck Manufacturing started in early March. The UAW, which was certified last fall is seeking a first contract which would give workers 75-cent-an-hour increase. The women at the plant now are paid $2.85 an hour as a starting rate, and $3.20 an hour after two years of ser­ vice. The Fleck strike has been marred with violence on the picket line with the union charging police intimida­ tion. The picket line was quiet this week until Wednesday.