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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-04-05, Page 131 Imcknow Sentinel, Wednesday, Agr11 5, 1978 -,-Page Parents ask about teachers' strike...... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 " TEACHERS: A sick leave credit gratuity established under the Education Act allows teachers to collect one- half oftheir unused sick leave,' credits when they lea e teaching. Because they have not used their sick leave during their careers, they have saved the Board the cost of supply leachers for those days. The teachers feel that age fifty is unfair because it penalizes 'a teacher who has devoted himself to Huron County rather than coming here to complete his career. E.g. a teacher comes to Huron when he is 38 and teaches 12 years (required for eligibility), he retires at 50 and collects his sick leave credit gratuity. Another teacher comes to Huron at age 23 and teaches for this county for 26 years; he is only, 49 and cannot collect his sick leave credits. 6. Do you favour the use. of an arbitrator to settle this dispute? Why? BOARD: No. We feel ac- countable to the people in Huron County to settle our own problems. TEACHERS: Yes. We first suggested this in September 1977. This is the fastest way to get education going again. It becomes nonsensical to refuse outside assistance when the parties can no longer negotiate and solve their problems. If one feels that one's offer is reasonable, one should be willing to allow an arbitrator to make the decision: It is imperative that. the school system in this county resume operation as quickly as possible and ar- bitration appears, to -,be the only way. 7. What are the long range financial implications if the settlement favours the teachers' position regarding *ark load? BOARD: The result could be even smaller classes, therefore more teachers; therefore additional costs. The long range implication is a shift of financial burden from provincial grants to local ratepayers. TEACHERS: There are no long range financial im- plications. Quite simply, it is the pupil -teacher ratio that determines' how . many teachers shall be hired. The workload guidelines merely attempt to spread the workload more equitably among those teachers. 8. What are- the long range workload implications if the settle ent favours the Boar proposal of a com- mittee? BOARD: The Board's proposal offers the op- portunity for input by teachers in an ever changing situation. TEACHERS: If a set- tlement favoured the Board's present offer of a committee, teachers , would have no workload protection and we could be returning to the situation we had a few years ago, o! two teachers in the same department, one teaching a total .load of 95 students, the other teaching over 200. 9. Do you agree with the Principals of Huron County who have stated that the successful completion of the year is in danger? BOARD: Any prolonged interruption in the 'school year affects the students., TEACHERS: Yes, we agree that for a growing number of students the successful completion of their year is in danger. We feel that it is not only th 'enior students who nee( regular classes, but ail students. 10. What suggestions do you have to get serious negotiations under way again? BOARD: The Board's position is reasonable. We were willing to try the teachers' original workload proposal in the 1976-77 con- tract, but we found it con- flicted with the PTR (Pupil- Teacher Ratio) clause. Why won't the teachers at least try the Board's proposal? TEACHERS: We have already requested --the mediator, Mr. Harvey Ladd, to -once again attempt to get the parties together. This may have been accomplished by the time this is printed. If that attempt is unsuccessful, then once more we would ask the Board to go to voluntary binding arbitration. This would enable teachers and students to return to their classrooms while arbitration isgoing on. There is ab- solutely no point in waiting for the Education Relations Commission to step in and eventually have compulsory binding arbitration imposed. We can ask now, voluntarily, but only if the Board agrees. Parents, you now have some facts. You now have some opinions, suggestions, or perhaps further questions. WRITE TO YOUR TRUSTEE, or to TEACHERS RATION, HOTEL , CLINTON, ON - IO, or to HURON BOARD OF FEDE CLINTON TAR COUNTY EDUCATION, CLINTON, ONTARIO; or to THOMAS WELLS, MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PARLIAMENT BLDGS., TORONTO OR BETTER STILL `ALL THREE! fi THE SITUATION IS SERIOUS. DON'T UN- DERESTIMATE WHAT YOUR LETTER CANDO. Signed: The Duron County Concerned Parents Group Shop At L�cknow Home Bakery PHONE 52$-20311 CLOSED MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS With the Guide, you can do it. virr WNW The income tax retum has been improved this year, making it easier for you to do it yourself. And to make it even easier, read the six basic steps in the Guide. You'll probably find all.you need to know there. But if you have any additional questions, you'll find the answers in the detailed portion of the Guide. And remember: 1. Include all your original receipts: 2. Double check your return before mailing it. If you have a refund coming, you'll get it sooner if your tax form has been done accurately. Go ahead! You can do it. Revenue Canada Revenu Canada Taxation Imp&t Hon. Joseph P. Guay L'hon. Joseph P. Guay Minister Ministre