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Publie Library TERRACE BAY, ONT, POT 2WO 3=2C «CC ..T FN. Wednesday November 14 Dotan Vol. 19 No. 45 Ae z Siete Terrace Ba cchreiber , Teachers Request © lViediator The Catholic School Teachers employed 'by the North of Superior Roman Catholic Separ- ate School Board feel very strongly that the board itself set the tone for negotiations this year. According to John St. Amand, Chief Neg- otiator for the Ontario English Catholic Teach- ers Association, at- tempts at "contract stripping' highlighted the Board's list of prior- ities. The following is a statement prepared by Mr. St. Amand..on.be- half of the teachers. 'Very early in nego- tiations we were forced to take defensive posi- tions. Clauses already present in our agree- ment designed specific- ally for protection in the work-place and which have been in existence since the amalgamation of the board in 1976, were. vehemently at- tacked. The Board sought removal of the following items: 1) Retirement Gratuity 2) Transfer Clause 3) Pupil Teacher Ratio 4) Dependent Life In- surance 5) The right to choose jointly with the Board the carrier of our Bene- fit Package. "In such an atmos- phere, little time was actually spent in the bargaining process. As a result very few of the~- teacher concerns were addressed. Based upon these circumstances, we sought help from the Education Relations Commission through the appointment of a third person, an impartial fact finder, to help _ sift through the facts." "Early in September such an impartial person - was appointed __ fact finder by the E.R.C. After very careful exam- ination of the Board's Financial Statements and present status, as well as facts presented by both sides, he recom- mended and I quote page 7 of the report: "Based on this infor- mation and allowing for the economic situation in the area as well as the Board's financial pos- ition, I. would recom- mend a settlement of 5 per cent plus _ incre- ment.' On page 8 of the report, the fact. finder goes on to say that, "While the recom- mended settlement does not entirely bring parity to the other local boards, at least it will be keep- ing pace and the salary grid will not fall any further behind." "It is important to add that in addition to the Public School Boards in the area, he is also referring to the Thunder Bay and Geraldton Sep- arate Schoof Boards in his comparison as well. We believe that his rec- ommendation is the basis for a fair settle- ment to this dispute." "Comparability with other employees doing the same type of work is a fundamental criteria for salary determina- tion. The North of Sup- erior Separate School Teachers are approxi- mately 3.7 per cent be- hind "the. Lake .Super- ior Elementary School Teachers - last year's contract. We are 10.9 per cent behind the Sec- ondary School teach- ers - on a cost basis. Fairness demands that the Board table an offer in line with the: fact finder's recommenda- continued on page 5 Minted from Ontario nickle and gold to mark the pro- vince 's. 200th. Anniversary since settlement, this Bicenten- nial medal will be presented to 1,984 Ontarians _ this December including Pam Jones, Joe Earle, Fred 'Harness and Anne Todesco, in recognition of their exemplary community dedication and Service. "Ring around the Rosie" has proven to be an excellent way to teach children to get up after "falling down" according to Bunny Singleton, instructor _ They all fall down! for the Learn to Skate program in Terrace Bay. Four Area Residents Bicentennial Medal Recipients On December 9, the Bicentennial will focus on volunteerism with the presentation of Ontario Bicentennial Medals to 1,984 citizens for service to. their community. Special presentations will take place in a series of ceremonies across the province. The recipients of the medal were selec- ted by their communi- ties and through public nominations during Bi- centennial year. There are four recip- ients of the medal in our area. Mrs. Ann Todes- co from Rossport has lived in that community for more than 70 years and has been involved in just about every com- munity group. Joe Earle of Terrace Bay con- ceived, organized and staged Terrace Bay's first multicultural fes- tival. Pam Jones, also of Terrace Bay is past pres- ident of the Birchwood Senior Citizens Home and still plays an active role with the home. Mr. Fred Harness, Schrei- ber, served on the Pub- lic school board and is a founding member of the Chimo Senior Citizens Club. Margaret Birch, Par- liamentary Assistant to the Premier, who chaired the selection committee for public nominations, said that reading the nominations "'was a moving exper- ience when one reali- zes that day in and day out across this . pro- vince, volunteers give their time and energy to help their fellow cit- izens. These acts en- rich and add special meaning to life in On- tario."" She added that while the province is honouring 1,984 volun- teers this year, "they are truly representa- tive of hundreds of thousands of other vol- unteers who share our appreciation for their valuable work."' ; The medals, made of Ontario nickel and gold, feature the Ontario Coat of Arms on one side and the Ontario Bicenten- nial symbol on the other and are inscribed with the words "For 'Ser- vice to the Community". During her Bicenten- nial visit to Ontario, Her Majesty Queen Eliza- beth II was presented with a solid gold rep- lica of the medal. In making the presenta- tion, Premier Davis noted that "in addres- sing future challenges, Ontarians will continue to rely upon two valued traditions: _ volunteer- ism and community ser- vice."'