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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-08-17, Page 1 (2)CHECK VOTING LIST.— Before Fleck employees started voting Tuesday afternoon, officials checked the eligible voters list. They are from the left, Sheila Charlton of the UAW local, On - brio counciliator Don Ainslie and Don Appleby of Fleck management. T -A photo Hope police will too UAW may drop charges The United Auto Workers have' agreed to drop charges against Fleck Manufac- turing as part of the strike settlement. UAW director Bob White said Tuesday a memoran- dum of agreement signed Saturday said the union would drop its charges against the company and vice-president Grant Turner for unfair labor practices. The union has already been granted the consent to prosecute. _ M turn, Fleck Manufac- turing has agreed to use its influence with the Ontario Provincial Police to have charges under the criminal code for various picket line disturbances dropped against the strikers. Jack Riddell, arising out of comments he is alleged to have made about the strike on a radio program. A writ of summons issued at that time claimed that Riddell had issued defamatory and false statements to the press and news media. The writ alleged that Riddell's statements were intended to mean or could be interpreted to mean or imply that the union used illegal, deceitful, fraudulent and intimidatory methods and means to obtain membership cards from Fleck employees and that it used the cards to obtain bargaining rights for the workers. The writ also alleged that Riddell's comments accused officers and organizers of the However, the agreement -union of•using illegal threats, does not include OPP officer Bill McIntyre and Liberal MPP -Jack Riddell. They are charged by the UAW for interference in union ac- tivities. "We still have -4o make a determination whether we will. continue to prosecute,%'. White said., , • • Outside demonstrators who visited the Fleck plant are not covered by the 'agreement between the UAW and Fleck. They are in the same category 'as Riddell --and McIntyre," White said. - Judge W.G. Cochrane Monday remanded until September 11 a hearing into chargesiaid against Riddell and Fleck. Mclntyre's case was remanded by Judge Cochrane until October 16. In June-, the UAW an- nounced that it also intended to proceed with a libel and slander suit against MPP physical intimidation and illegal means to convince Fleck employees to strike. Riddell's statements allegedly infer that the UAW wasn't a credible organization and didn't Elmer Taylor • Ebner Taylor takes position in Goderich Elmer Taylor, ad- ministrator at South Huron Hospital for almost four years, .has accepted a. similar position with Alex- andra Marine & General Hospital in Goderich. He was one of 33 applicants for the position and his appointment was ratified at a meeting of the Goderich hospital board on Thursday. He commences his duties on September 15. • "I regret to be leaving this community," he told the T -A on Monday, but noted that the Goderich position offered more of a challenge and he felt he could help them overcome problems that arose earlier this year when they ran into financial and staff problems. Actually, Taylor has been • assisting the Goderich board with their administration for the past two months after their administrator resigned. The assistance was provided in a cooperative move between South Huron Hospital and the Goderich board and Taylor said the latter would probably return the favor in allowing him to continue to assist the South Huron board until his replacement is named. "There's- great coopera- tion between the two hospitals," he said. . .The Taylors plan to relocate as soon as possible this fall. While a resident in Exeter, Taylor was the in- coming treasurer of the Lion's Club and was active in recreational ball and hockey activities. represent the interest of the employees. The writ alleged that statements by Riddell in- terfered with the position of the union. as a bargaining agent, interfered with collective bargaining and contributed to prolonging the strike. Riddell complained at the time that his privileges as an MPP were being violated by the union's charges, but in July, the Ontario Labor Relations Board granted the UAW consent to prosecute. Polio scare dying down Huron County residents who haven't already had their polio shots will have to wait until the people in Oxford County and seven other counties have had theirs. Health miritster Dennis Timbrell announced Friday that no further adult clinics are to be held outside *Oxford, Lambton, Mid- dlesex, Elgin, Haldimand- Norfolk, Brant, Waterloo and Perth counties. The measure was taken so that available vaccine could be channelled to the areas where it was most needed. Dr. Brian Lynch, Huron County Medical Officer of Health estimated Wed- nesday that about 4,000 adults in the county had received either their first vaccine or a booster since the outbreak in Oxford. He said special clinics will be set up in Huron County once the vaccine does become available again. "There is no real need for people in Huron County to have the vaccine right now," Lynch said. However, when the vac- cine does become available, people who have let their immunization slip should get .their shots, he said. . Timbrell said other .areas outside the eight counties will be able to resume regular immunization clinics for adults when a million doses of vaccine are delivered in September and 'another 500,000 in October from Connaught Laboratories. Lynch said people in Huron initially overreacted to news reports of the out- break in Oxford, but people have calmed down because the press has calmed down, he said. The current polio outbreak is attributed to visitors to Canada from an areh in the Netherlands where fun- damentalist Protestant sects oppose immunization. About 100 cases have been reported in that country. The strike Is over ... but will the melody linger on? • That appears to be one of the basic questions still un- answered after einployees of Fleck Manufacturing at Huron Park voted Tuesday to accept a two-year con- tract that gives them a union security clause - ending the bitter strike that began 163 days ago. While the.strike has been settled, comments from some of the non -strikers. many of whom apparently voted against the contract, indicate that the bitterness may be even more difficult to resolve. After being called a varie- ty of obscene names, being subjected to threatening phone calls and a variety of wilful damage incidents, non -strikers indicated it would be difficult to now work beside those whose vindictiveness they had suf- fered for so many weeks. The' strikers, however, were jubilant as they left the strike headquarters in Huron Park to vote on the two year agreement. "As far as union security went, we got something. But as far as salary goes, we couldn't - expect miracles," one striker told reporters on her way to vote. The strikers marched seven abreast through the industrial park to, the com- munity centre, led by Bob White. director of the 149,000 -member union. The final •vote was 73 in favor of the contract, 37 against, and two spoiled ballots. The strikers didn't gain a major wage increases though. Before the dispute, labourers- were paid --a minimum of 82.85 an hour to start, $3.22 after five years. and $3.24 after 10 years. Thee settlement gives the -workers a starting rate of 83.05 an hour, which will be raised to $3.15 after 30 days. and to $3.30 after 120 days. After two years. labourers will earn $3.44 an hour. The top rate in the plant is for skilled maintenance workers and truck drivers. They receive 85.69 an hour after two years. In the first article of the agreement, the company recognizes the union as the sole and exclusive bargain- ing agent of all employeesat the plant except for foreman, those above the rank of foreman, office and sales staff, and people who work less than 24 hours a week. . RiDES TO RESUME - The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority plans to resume the hayride program at Parkhill con- servation area following a fatality there August 6. - A six-year old boy died after he fell under the wheels of the wagon being pulled on the hayride. - The hayrides. have been temporarily suspended- to allow a break period. They will eventually be resumed, a spokesman for the. Authority said. settled - Payment of union dues in striking workers may be laid took out when the strike the agreement is a require- off if there - isn't enough • began. Then there is sone ment for employment. work for them to do: . Workers at the plant do not . One of the key elements have to •join the union which brought the strike to though, even though the dues conclusion was the consent will be deducted from, their of the labour relations board pay. to prosecute company of - "The strike was about the ficials, White said. right to strike and they won A1.Seymour; the UAW in - that." Bob White said before ternational representative, the vote. "We'll live another said it will take some time day to fight the wage issue." before the company will be White said the ,,k�ompany able to return to full prodtrc-. plans to recall 75,oforkers.to tion. the Ian over the next four "The company has to wee s. He said some of the return some machines it _ . maintenance work that has to be done." he said The one element missing from the final strike day was the Ontario Provincial Police. Only one OPP cruiser appeared in the park during the voting and the of- ficers stayed clear of the recreation annex where -the votes were being taken. Cost of policing the strike was criticized by opposition parties in the Ontario legislature. Bob White said the police action durleg the strike had hurt the fore* image. He said in the future they should realize they don't have to interfere in a strike situation. To avoid any confronta- tion between the non- strikers and strikers, the vote was staged so neither group met the other. The .strikers arrived about an hour after the last of the non -strikers had voted. The vote was under the jurisdic- tion of the labor relations board. r JUBILANT MARCHERS — Striking Fleck workers were in high spirits Tuesday as they marched from the entrance to the in- dustrial pork to the recreation centre to vote on the contract offer. The agreement conceded union security to the strikers, a key element in the dispute.T-A photo Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Fifth Yepr & North Lambton Since 1873 , voca EXETER, ONTARIO, AUGUST 17, 1978 - Price Per,Copy 25 Cents Two area barns destroyed by fire Firemen were called out Thursday night when fire broke out on a Stephen township farm but many .more than volunteer firemen showed up. . Huron Park fire chief Norm Hyde said fire fighters were -hampered in getting to the blaze because of 'curious motorists on Concession 2 and 3 of Stephen, south of Huron 'Park. Hyde said the blaze was far out of control when the alarm was turned in. • Ile added, "This time the crowd intervention didn't make any difference. but, sometime it might." Cars were parked on both sides of the sideroad before firemen arrived. The fire of undetermined origin destroyed the barn on the farm of Tony Conlin. The Huron Park fire chief said the hay and straw in the building was in storage for -more than two years, so combustion was not suspected. The Crediton fire brigade was also called to assist. A fire at the farm of John Damen south of Whalen's Corner completely destroyed a barn Tuesday night. The fire was attributed to spontaneous combustion from hay'stored in the barn. The hay was put is the barn about two months .ago. ac- cording to Mrs. Damen. The fire broke out about 7.45. About 85 western steers and 15 small calves Were removed- from the barn without injury. The loss, which is covered by insurance, has not been estimated. Contract okayed by custodians The threat of Huron Coun- ty schools not opening, this fall because of a custodial strike has ended. About 50 custodians'' and maintenance workers ratified a -two-year agree- ment in Clinton Sunday afternoon The members of Local 210 of the Service Employees Unum have been without a contract since May 31... - , Tony Borg, union inter- national representative. said Monday an agreement was reached after four meetings with Huron County board of education represen- tatives. He said the dif-ferences centred on wages. Although complete details of the contract are yet to be released. Borg did savrthe Please turn to page 3 e MITCHELL MAN DIES IN CRASH — Dallas Wettloufer, 29, Mitchell died ' Satqrdoy When the motorcycle he was riding collided with a tractor on Highway 83 erght kilometres east of here. Corporal Dave Wgodward and Constable Bill Osterloo examine the crash scene shortly after the accident of about 4:25 p.m. T -A photo • •r FIRE DESTROYS STEPHEN BARN — Lote Thursday evening fire of undetermined origin destroyed a Targe barn on the form of Tony Conlin at Lot 3, Concession 3 in Stephen township. T -A photo Mitchell- cyclist dies in district collision A 29 -year-old Mitchell man was killed Saturday af- ternoon when his motores c le collided with a tractor on Highway 83. just west of Huron County Road 11. Dallas Edward Wettiaufer was eastbound and struck the tractor driven by. Grant Hodgert, H.R. 1 Woodham. Hodgert was pulling a wagon and baler and was turning left across -the highway into a (arm lane when the mishap --occurred:- Coroner ocrurre :_Coroner Dr. Charles Wallace. Zurich. pronounced Wettlaufer dead at the scene. Hodgert :had stopped his tractor on the north shoulder of. the' road to ascertain if traffic was Clear behind him, but failed to _see the en. rLomil:0t l} efore 'pulling across . thct highway: Damage in the fatality was . listed' at 52,000 by in- vestigating officer Constable Jack straughan,, who was •assisted by ,.Cpl. • Dave Woodward. On May 18. 1977, another • motorcyclist. died -near -the same spot when his machine, ran into a transport -truck which was crossing High- way 83 at the County Road 11 intersection. Constable Straughan also investigated - that fatality which claimed the life of a Brucefield man, Charles R..1.ince, who was • also 29. •t The accident was one of six investigated by the Exeter OPP this week, several of which resulted' in injuries, none - of which was serious. On Stipday At 10.45 p.m., an Exeter girl, • Sheila McLeod, suffered a frac- tured foot when it was run over by a car at the Crediton hall park. ;Driver of the vehicle was Michael Brannon. R.K. 2 •Dashwood. She was taken to South 'Huron Hospital for treat- ment. • Constable - Bill Ostertoo investigated the incident involving the pedestrian and vehitle. - Two - people sustained minor injuries in an. accident on Saturday. on Stephen road 1. just north of the Crediton Road. A car driven'by Paul Johnston. Blyth, had a front tire blow out and the vehicle went into the ditch and rolled over. Johnston and a passenger Please turn to page 3 Tenders are called for LCAT housing Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack -Riddell told . the T -A Tuesday morning that tenders are now being called -Inc construction of a students residence, at Centralia College . Sf Agricultural Technology at Huron Park. The student residence -is • required by the Ontario Ministry, of Agriculture and Fpod to provide modern and expanded facilities for year- round use of students at the college. 4 A single structure it will Contain a series of five pods, each providing ac- commodation for 40 students and one supervisor. The pods will• be lined by a walkway at ground level. This- walk- way will adjoin a students lounge located in each pod allowiq„g for social in• teraction while maintaining a community atmosphere. The main entrance to the new residence will be combined with •the existing Huron Hall. pie entrance will lead air ctly to a common administration area containing offices. an infirmary. change rooms and a manager's apartment. The heated and air con- ditioned structure will have a gross floor area df ap- proximately- -38,0011 square feet. Specifications also call for load bearing concrete block walis with brick facing, double glazed .windows, pre cast' concrete floor, tel deck and beam frames for the roof and site.. services that include a paved access road and landscaping: 'Design and construction documents have been' prepared by associate ar- chitect - Paul M. .Skinner, London. it is anticipated ctsit struction will be complet d by September. 1980. Investigate- shooting, nvestigate.shooting, knife events A Crediton man, Ahmed Osmond. has been charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace after three shots were 'fired in the, village last week. One of the bullets hit the left rear fender of a truck driven by Brian Gaiser, RR 2 Crediton. There were two passengers._ with Gaiser at the time of the incident near •the Stardust Drive -In Restaurant. Osmond is scheduled to' appear in Exeter court on August 22.• The incident is being in • - vestigated by OPP Constable Bill McIntyre. The latter was also in- volved in the investigation into a robbery attempt near Hensall on' Monday when a knife -wielding hitch -hiker failed to get any cash because his victim had none. George Murray Grainger, 67. of Goderich, picked up the hitch -hiker near the OPP office north of Exeter. and drove towards llensall. Grainger stopped his car when the young hitch -hiker demanded money and hand- ed over a wallet that con- tained only some identifica- tion papers. The youth threw the wallet back at the Goderich man and fled.Police said the --would-be thief was about 17 years old, weighed about 140 pounds, had black hair and was :wearing. blue_.cut-off jeans and a blue shirt. A tracking dog was • brought in from Mt. Forest to assist police in the search, but the youth could not be -located. - it was indicated the -knife had a blade.about five inches long and it was placed on the seat by the youth when he asked Grainger for his money. The Goderich man was un- hurt. Constable McIntyre also told the T -A this week that two juveniles have been charged with the recent breakins at the Centralia Community Hall, the residence of Jim Fletcher, and the saddle club grounds at Huron Park.. Considerable damage was .donor the hall when coffee and hot chocolate were streWn about and the water was turned on in the kitchen flooding the floor. A quantity' of cash was taken in the breakin into the Fletcher residence in Cen- tralia., I. •