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PAGE 4 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1981 Teachers reach contract accord Agreement on a two year contract on salary levels and employee benefits has been reached between the Waterloo county board of educaâ€" tion and local elementary teachers in the Waterloo county teachers‘ asâ€" sociation. The agreement, effective Sepâ€" tember 1, 1981 to August 31, 1983 was ratified by the teachers last Thursâ€" day and will be formally approved by the Roard at its regular meeting July 9. Under the settlement the 1700 teachers will receive an 11.5 per cent increase on the salary grid in September 1981, a further 1.75 per cent in June 1982, and a 10 per cent increase in the second year of the contract. Additional cost of living protection will be provided for that portion of the year in which it exceeds 10 per cent. A starting teacher with no experiâ€" ence will now receive $14,030 in September rising to $15,704 by August 31, 1983. A teacher in the highest category after 10 years will receive $36,639 in September rising to $41,008 at the end of the conâ€" tract. A teacher in the midâ€"point of the grid, after five years experience will receive $22,987 in the fall, rising to $25,728 at the end of the two year Changes in employee benefits in the second year of the contract include the Board‘s commitment to pay 75 per cent of the premium cost of the dental plan, up from 67 per cent presently. The Board will also maintain full benefits for women teachers on maternity leave for the 17 weeks during which unemployment insurâ€" ance is received. Previously, these teachers paid their own benefits. A deferred salary leave plan, similar to that negotiated for the secondary school teachers last week, will permit teachers to defer part of their salaries prior to taking a leave of absence. Teachers will be able to take a year‘s leave of absence, using their deferred inâ€" come plus accrued interest on a four to seven year plan. Stephen Hawkey, chairman of the teachers‘ negotiating committee, said the settlement reflects teachâ€" ers‘ concern for economic stability during uncertain inflationary times. ‘‘We‘re extremely pleased to have reached an equitable and responsâ€" ible settlement‘"‘, he said. Carl Schell, chairman of the Board‘s negotiating team, noted that the settlement, like the seconâ€" dary teachers‘ agreement, simply reflects the cost of living. ‘"*We‘re glad that a settlement has been achieved before the end of the school year"‘, he said. Ontario residents with low incomes are entitled to assistance in paying OHIP premiums. More importantly, the amount has been changed in the most recent Ontario If your income as a single person is less than $8,200 or your total income as a family of four, for example, is below $14,000, you may be eligible for assistance to pay all or part of your premiums. As always, pensioners or those Northdale Auto Body Complete Collision and Refinishing Service 430 Albert Street, Waterioo nel) IS availlt)xble to pay your OHIP premiums. a Hel Ontario Ministry of Health Dennis R. Timbrell, Minister i The best way to check your eligibility is to contact your local OHIP office. It‘s listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory under Government Services. Please ask because you may very well qualify for OHIP assistance today, even though you might not have in the past. receiving social assistance continue to receive OHIP coverage without