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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-10-17, Page 2 (2)Par 2 October 17, 1979 Jack's Jottings By JACK RIDDELL MPP Huron -Middlesex Should teachers strike? • other hand, must be aware of its stewardship of the tax- payers money, especially at a time when a larger share of the cost of education Is being borne by local property taxpayers. The board is also responsible for providing the best quality education it can and therefore, wants to retain its best teachers. The issue isnot black and white - both sides have strong feelings about the rightness of their case. The real question then is not who is right or who is wrong, but rather. how to resolve the differences in a fair way. We have now had five years of experience in using strikes as the set- tlement procedure. Nobody seems satisfied with the results. Teachers are professionals; they are aware of their respon- sibilities to their students; and they do not like the disruptive effect of a strike on the learning process. Trustees are elected to keep schools open, not - closed ; they are deeply aware of public animosity to a strike situation; and they too do not want students When the Legislature resumed after the summer recess, Liberal Leader Stuart Smith asked the Premier to enunciate his Government's position on the right of teachers to strike and of school boards to lock out. now that the Ministry of Education's internal review of Bill 100 has been com- pleted. Should school teachers go on strike? This question dominated much of the thinking at Queen's Park last week as the Province's first elementary school teachers strike completed its second week in Peel County. Since 1974 when the right to strike was approved by the Ontario Legislature, there have been 19 strikes involving more than 300.000 students with an average of seven to eight weeks of lost schooling. A recent report analyzed the long and bitter secondary school teachers strike in Toronto and concluded that many students did not return to school and those who went on to University experienced more difficulties with their studies. There were also signs of reduced respect for teachers by their students. The issue is not an easy one to settle. Both the teachers and. the school boards have genuine con- cerns that need to be resolved. The teachers are looking for a fair andust wage • settlement that recognizes todays runaway inflation. In a time of declining enrolment. they also want some fair and equitable arrangement for deciding which teachers are to be let go. The school board on the schooling to be so violently disrupted. Students and their parents see themselves as the in- nocent victims in this power struggle. Students become skeptical and disenchanted with the value of education when they see that it can be interrupted for almost two months. Parents see their family life seriously disrupted, especially in those families where both parents must work outside the home. The social and moral con- sequences of large numbers of children having so much free time on their hands has not yet been measured, but it must surely be detrimental. As we move into the 1980's, it seems clear to me at least that a better way must be found to resolve such disputes. I have recom- mended that the provincial government establish a permanent board of ar- bitrators from which two or three members could be drawn when a local negotiation breaks down. Such board members would quickly become very knowledgeable about the Arthritis drive Tuesday The annual canvass for the arthritis Society in Exeter, Huron Park, Centralia and Crediton will be held Tuesday, October 23. The campaign is being conducted by students of the Centralia College of Agricultural Technology. Don Orth, director of student affairs at the college said this year's local goal is $2,000 and donations will be used by the arthritis society to support programs of research, educations and information. Mr. Orth reminds everyone of the facts about the most serious form of arthritis -rheumatoid ar- thritis : The chances' of im- provement are great; the majority of patients are able to return to a productive, fairly comfortable Life with gainful employment. Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis in the sense that it disappears with treatment, treatment is predictably effective in most cases. Success will depend on the enthusiasm and thoroughness with which patient and family approach it. There is genuine optimism and confidence concerning the search for a cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Great progress has been made and continues to be made. Arthritis research is paying off. There is no pill, capsule, injection of combination. of medicines now on the market which will cure arthritis. Do not be duped into spending money by some quack. Your doctor can help control your disease. Follow your doctor's or- ders exactly. Remember that treatment may be a long-term affair. education process and become understanding of the concerns of both teachers and school trustees. Since they could not disappear after making their set- tlement decisions, they would quickly tend to arrive at fair and responsible decisions. No process is going to satisfy everyone all the time but I believe the alternative proposed is preferable to strikes. In this international year of the child, let us in Ontario really put the needs of our kids at the forefront. Let us as responsible adults really give them some good examples of human relations. The question of inadequate funding for Children's Aid Societies was raised in the first day's question period. Earlier, the Minister of Community and Social Sy -vices had released the report of the study group on child welfare in Ontario, which had been a year in preparation. This report sets the stage for constructive and in- formed public discussion of the manner in which this province will protect its children. In essence, the study group had examined child welfare as it is currently administed by Ontario's network of quasi -public societies, and found the system wanting. Strengths and weaknesses of three other models which might conceivably replace the present system were weighed, so that public discussion could lead eventually to reform. However, the Minister's response to the report is indicated in the following excerpt from his in- troduction to the document: "Let me now assure you that the provincial Governnment has no intention of trans- ferring responsibility for the provision of child welfare services to any pody other than the Societies." Yet the report itself state: "Societies have failed to prevent human tragedies...most major governmental , planning studies over the past decade have called for drastic changes in the relationships between the Societies and the public. Yet few changes have occurred.. Public confidence in Societies appears to be waning and many members and staff of Societies are confused, frustrated and demoralized about their roles... In the interests of the children and their families who become by default the victims of the uncertainty and controversy Inqli.: . - Everythingyoutl expect andihen some. SUPERB JT 34000 • 13 79 Cu Ft — Top Mount • Dura Wall Construction • Energy Saving Switch • Cantilever Shelves • Adjustable Meat Pan • Three Temperature Butter Conditioner SUPERB JT 34000 IN WHITE • Nested Egg Storage • Deluxe Handle • Freezer Shelf • Juice Rack • Separate Temperature Controls White -8. Harvest Gold $499 Inglis Superb 15 cu. ft. Refrigerator, Almorrd '579 Inglis Liberator 17 cu ft. Refrigerator, Gold '539 Inglis Liberator 30" Range. Almond '349 INGLIS SUPERB LAUNDRY PAIR 174900 5 CYCLE WASHER & DRYER IN WHITE GOLD ALMOND $39900 PORTABLE DISHWASHER • Full size upper spray arm • Energy - saving dry selector switch • Adjustable upper rack •,Insulation sound shield • Exclusive in -door cutlery basket • 2 speed 12 cycles • Cherty wood cutting board INGLIS TRASH MASHERS $19900 $10.00 EXTRA FOR COLOR IN MOST MODELS WHITING'S Warehouse Furniture and Appliances Unlimited (New and Used) Sales & Service • Antiques & Things 235-1964 EXETER MAIN ST. surrounding the Children's Aid Societies, we would hope that this study will be the last in the series." Opposition members also raised, among other mat- ters, the situation with respect to health care in ihe Province, the security o rot1 supplies for the forthcoming winter, and the Govern- ment's policy with respect to French language education in Ontario. Stuart Smith asked the Premier for his Govern- ment's policy with respect to the decision of the Prime Minister of Canada to give control of off -shore oil and mineral resources to *the coastal provinces. The Premier stated that the Government of Canada could not, unilaterallyr give up anything which con- sititutionally came within its jurisdiction. ARTHRITIS CAMPAIGN TUESDAY — Students of Centralia College of Agricultural Technology will be conducting the Exeter and area canvass for the Canadian Arthritis Association, Tuesday, October 23. The CCAT committee is shown with College director of student affairs Don Orth. Seated from the left are Connie Giffen, chairman Fern Adair and SAC president Don Kneeshow. T -A photo a ANNOUNCEMENT LONDON LIFE is pleased to announce the appointment of Larry Johns as their agent for Exeter and area. Larry will be pleased to review your in- surance and personal financial needs. 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