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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1978-03-02, Page 4PHOTO BY HARRY DEVRIES ='Iiiiii11111111111111111111III111111111111111111iI1111111II1111111Ii111111IIIIUIIIIIIIII1111111Iill111111111111111111111111111IIII111111I11Ilhhinni1i11111iiiiliiii1111111111I1111111111iiiiii1111111111111: !Viewpoint . C.N. = m111111111111111111111111111(hill1I11i111111111111111111111111I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 A changing labour scene Threatened strikes, pending strikes or strikes proper are bad news at any time. When they occur at a time of high unemployment and involve a seg- ment of the working force that is relatively well off as compared to the working force in general, then they are that much worse. Secondary school teachers are presently on a rotating strike in Huron County and secondary school teachers in Perth could go on strike this week. The state of negotiations between the Perth County Board of Education and its elementary school teachers, if we are to believe the sketchy reports we hear, are also reaching an impasse. We have made our opinion regarding teachers' salaries well-known on this page in the past. We believe teachers are well paid — no ifs, ands or buts. We also believe teachers have a tough role; their job is not an easy one and those of us, while we might be equally as well educated and work equally hard at a substantially lower salary, would not think of taking on the job of teaching — even for another $6,000 or $10,000. We also sympathize with the position of Perth County secondary ;.ohool teachers regarding their salary as compared to the salary paid to neighbor- ing county teachers. There should not be a difference of $500. It costs just as much to live in Perth as it does in Wellington or Huron. But would we go on strike for another $500 plus sick -leave gratuities, and responsibility allowances? No, we would not. We would go on strike for retroactive pay. The Perth County Board of Education knows full well the effective dates of the teaching contract and whether an agreement is reached within a year, or a year and a half, increases must take effect fca the full term of the contract. Teachers might well say upon reading the above paragraph that talk is cheap. They could be right; nevertheless, we do believe the majority of Ontario workers would agree with us. At a wage of ,000 or $9,000, an increase of $500 might mean something, but at an average salary of ap- proximately $20,000 given the income tax rate, it is next to meaningless. As for sick -leave gratuities, we can find no justification for such a system at all. It just doesn't make sense to us that an employer should be called upon to pay up to half a year's salary to a retiring teacher just because that teacher has en- joyed good health and did what a worker in any field is supposed to do — that is come to w ork when they feel well enough to do so. However, we feel that it would be unfair to cut off teachers already benefitting from this fringe benefit without fair compensation for the money they have invested in it. It would also appear fair that spouses of teachers who have died before retiring ought to be entitled to at least a portion of the benefits which have accrued. We heard a comment on radio on Sunday which we found more than a little interesting. A commentator on the CBC Sunday Magazine program noted that the entire labor union scene in Canada has changed. Now instead of representing the working poor, the strongest unions in this country, the teachers' federations and the civil service union to name a couple, represent workers who are relatively well off, i.e. those workers for whom $20,000 if it is not considered a low wage, is certainly not a high one. We would agree with that comment and would add the suggestion that such unions have outlived their purpose and now pose a threat to the economic stability of this country. Listowel Banner 10iionouoloomuuulllliuuillowono1 mool1nuumwonlnliu oimoilmo 111111111loolioli 111111111111 oleo mminnulilnlllllnl nooninrll1111 ovE 511111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111"mm"11nusn1111111111u1nIlllln111n1111 Miscellaneous Rumblings By TOM CREECH Cars In last week's column "Creech's Confusing Car Compilation" was given its first public airing and due to the fact that I got a little long winded on a few cars, this week's column will be used to finish off the list. Last week was devoted to the subcompacts and com- pacts. The intermediates, full size and sporty cars will be dealt with today. INTERMEDIATE Buick Century -- Once again our friends at G.M. have managed to upset the applecart with an in- termediate that is six inches shorter and approximate- ly 200 pounds lighter than their existing compact car. The Buick Century is my pick as the best of the G.M. cars in this class. This car offers a choice of V -6's, V- s' 8's and turbo charged V -6's in three body variations. While having as much room as their Ford or Mercury fLo counterparts, these cars offer substantial im- provements in gas economy. Chrysler Cordoba — If you are bound to blow a few bucks on an intermediate sized luxury car, you might as well do it on the automobile that is the acknowledg- ed leader in the luxury intermediate field. As with? many of this gender, lots of styling gimmicks are used: opera windows, half vinyl roofs and simulated everything. This car can pull it off. Maybe it's because the Cardoba exudes an air of decadence; nothing naughty but yet, a little bit of fun. Audi 5000 — The person in the above category; had a few extra dollars to spend on luxury in- termediate; an individual who buys an Audi 5000 doesn't care how much the car costs. (But for you and ..;.:! me who are interested in such mundane matters, $14,- [)00 is more than petty cash.) This has to be one of the best cars every produced in West Germany. An elegant but space efficient body combined with a five cylinder gasoline engine results in a car that has no match. Although the car did not make its official North American debute until earlier this year, several examples were in the hands of various Volkswagen of Canada dealers last summer. The example which Don `. Taylor Motors had was stunning in a pale metalic green and a brown interior. FULL SIZE Chevrolet Impala — Maybe it's from watching too many Chevrolet commercials during "Bonanza" or the fact that a Chevy dealership is but 50 yards from - my residence but the Impala is the best of the G.M. big cars, in my humble opinion. The car has excellent • space utilization combined with the availability of the }' • most efficient V-8 manufactured in North America to- - day — the 305. The cars which weigh over 700 pounds less than the full size Chevy of two years ago have more interior room, a bigger trunk and better gas economy. Ford LTD/Mercury Marquis — One thing about the Ford Motor Company that you can say is that it cer- tainly covers the market with the Fiesta at one end and these soon to be extinct models at the other end. While the LTD/Marquis are heavy and not the most fuel efficient, they are quiet which has been Ford's claim to fame for their large cars for the past 15 • years. If you have a large family and do a lot of driv- ing these cars would be suitable. Mercedes 450 — If the family consists of five peo- ple and a well. trained St. Bernard and expect an in- • heritance of at least $30,000 to be forthcoming, buy this car. If not, be like the rest of us and dream on. NCNA FIRST WITH tOCAI NEWS Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. Member: Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association News Editor - Tom Creech Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Subscription Rates: $7.00 per year in advance in Canada $18.00 per year outside Canada Single copies 20¢ SPORTS CARS Monza Spyder V-8 — The primary purpose of this gendre of auto is to act as a boost for our ego. The Monza Spyder V-8 is one sharp looking little car that has a top speed to satisfy any one plus if driven reasonably, will deliver respectable gas economy. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am — This car and the Corvette are two of the most popular "image" cars that have ever been manufactured in North America. Dual exhausts, fender flairs, a big bird on the hood, a rumbling V-8 and excellent handling are part of this image. Volkswagen Scirocco — This is another German car with one main weakness (price). The car comes equipped with many standard features (three way ad- justable bucket seats, full instrumentation)and is an excellent compromise for acceleration and fuel economy. 5l