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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1985 PAGE 11 They may vote to go to arbitration.... Police meeting today to discuss latest offer DINCI Deu sTIeNCTnV By SUSAN LESJAK Free Press Staff Binding arbitration may be the only way Durham Region's 389 uniformed police of- ficers can secure a 1985 contract. The officers, members of the Durham Police Association, are expec- ted to meet today to discuss the latest con- tract offer from the Durham Regional Police Commission. According to negotiating tean mem- ber Terry Delves, the association will not recommend either ac- ceptance or rejection of the commission's offer, but will merely seek direction from the membership. Delves was clearly discouraged, however, with the resuits of the last round of bargaining, July 25. "We feel there should Report from Queen's Park By-THE HON. GEORGE ASHE, MPP (PC - Durham West) The premier illusionist have been some breakthrough," he said, after explaining that the association had found itself in yet another deadlock with the com- mission. The negotiator feared that if his fellow officers were really serious about their demands, the association would have to go to binding ar- bitration. "I don't think the commission is going to budge." During the seven months that the two par- ties have been negotiating, they have resolved the bulk of their differences. But they have been unable to make any headway in the area of benefits. The police are asking that an "optional ser- vice" clause be added to their pension plan. Such a provision would mean We all know what an illusionist is. While watching what's going on over here, the real action takes place over there. This slight-of-hand may well be acceptable on a theatrical stage, but there should be no place for such maneuvering by a responsible government. The issue of alcohol sales through the corner stores of Ontario is a prime example of the "now you see it, now you don't" approach being taken by the premier illusionist, David Peterson. This particular initiative was a major platform in the Liberal election campaign. It was meshed in with some vague charges of impropriety by un- named liquor inspectors. We never heard anything more of the latter, but while the separate school funding issue diverts the spotlight, the Liberal government is possibly working to ensure at least one of their election promises comes to fruition. They couldn't have picked a worse one. Firstly, I don't buy the argument that just because something is happening in another jurisdication it's good for Ontario. That's just a dumb argument and needs no further comment. There is a uniqueness and social fabric in Ontario unrivaled anywhere. Our society has not been built by men and women who follow on the coatails of other legislators or other jurisdictions. We have our own personality in Ontario, with laws and morality established in the best interests of our growing society, by the people themselves. A responsible government must deal with the needs of the people it serves and in so doing must weigh all the consequences. It must not deal with its own political agenda to the detriment of the people, and that's exactly what the Liberals have been doing on this issue. At the very least, we have to expect a major upset in the labour market. Not only will the jobs of those currently employed in the retail sale of beer and wine be in jeopardy, the youth of this province may well have the doors of a major source of em- ployment, and particularly student employment, closed to those under the age of 19. That in itself is simply not acceptable. The consumers' perspective isn't much brighter. Ontario now bas the lowest cost beer in Canada. Don't be fooled by all those stories you hear regar- ding great 'sales' south of the border. There will be no loss leaders here, and conservative estimates suggest increases of at least $2 a case over current prices for domestic beer. I personally believe that's a low estimate and something around $3 would be closer to the fact. The reason of course is higher distribution costs. Let's not forget the current Liberal plans to allow the use of credit cards in convenience stores, either. Do we really want to encourage people to drink now and pay later? I think not, but such an extension would certainly open that door. What about easier availability to our young people? Than, of course, there's the 'purchase through impulse' opportunity. As things now stand, one must make a conscious decision to buy beer, wine or liquor. We must go to a particular outlet on a particular street for that specific purpose. Change that, and you possible change the drinking habits of Ontarians. That is far too great a gamble. Our current liquor laws and distribution methods clearly meet the needs and requirements of most people, without offering the encouragernent to in- crease consumption.â There is absolutely no need to extend beer and wine sales to the corners of this province. Unless, that is, you have to keep at least one election promise. Well, our illusionist in the red tie has broken others. Let's hope there's no exception here. a provision would mnean that Durham Region of- ficers with previous service in the military or on another police for- ce, could use those years of accrued pen- sion benefits towards their retirement. While this plan would be optional, Delves knows of at least 30 of- ficers who say they would take advantage of it if it were available. Commission chair- man, Whitby Mayor Bob Attersley insists, however, that the board will not yield to the policemen's demands. The benefits they want are "too rich", he claims and the com- mission cannot afford to pay them. Optional service, more commonly known as "pension portability" is a benef it unique to the civil service. Although it is widely enjoyed by municipal employees, the police, who come under the same Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, are rarely offered pension portability. Delves knows of only two other divisions in the province that have pressed for and been awarded optional ser- vice. "Several have asked for it," he said, "but it's hard to get." If the Durham officers press on with their demand, an arbitrator will have to be appoin- ted by the Solicitor- General's office. The current overload of ar- bitration cases could push a final settlement back months. For the commission, a settlement with the uniformed officers is only half the battle. The board will begin '85 negotiations with the force's senior officers as soon as this contract has been signed. Today's meeting of the police association should determine just when all of this will transpire. Theos The next meeting of the local chapter of Theos will be held on Sunday, Aug. il in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cochrane St., Whitby. Theos is a support group for newly widowed men and women. For more information call 668-2648.