WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1989, PAGE 17 More job security, improved sick leave benefits in contract By Trudie Zavacovies An arbitrated contract settle- ment brought community college teachers gains in increased job security and im roved sick leave benefits, but fell short on wage increases. The six per cent yearly pay hike keeps up with the rate of inflation bùt is far from the 10.3 per cent (first year) increase the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) requiested. Under the new contract, the .8,800 teachers, librarians and councillors will receive retraining rights, access to. part-time work in case of layoffs, and increased severance pay up to six months. The sick leave benefits entitle all employees to an annual 20 days' cumulative sick leave and additional coverage at 75 per cent of pay for the five-month period before long-term disability. benefits take effect. "In general it was a comprom- ise," says Ginny Colling, teach- ing master in the applied arts division at Durham College. "I don't think either side got what they wanted." She said that although the strike was not a waste, it was Wellness clinic holds food drive The Chiropractors-Family Wellness Clir.ic, 1631 Dundas St. E., v-.1 hold a food drive and offer free services for all regular -and new patients on Thursday, Dec. 14, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the clinic, 1631 Dundas St. E. Food will begiven to the Oshawa Settlement House and Whitby's Salvation Army. unfortunate that the contract couldn't be settled at the nego- tiating table. «Our present contract is better than the final offer,» said Col- in g l ontract arbitrator Martin Tep itsky also ordered a wage study to examine "appropriate relativities" between community college teachers, high school tea- chers, university professors and other groups. Bih Swan,spokesman for Dur- ham College's 224 faculty mem- bers acknowledged gains in the sick leave plan and mild moves forward in job security. Overall, however, he said he was "mildly disappointed." "dot because we were out there... It is a matter of pride. College teachers are not worth as much as kindergarten teachers. «We are penalized for our sick leave plan. We needed 7.7 per cent to be equal with high school teachers. We are behind 1.7 per cent on the top category." Salaries for community college teachers range from $26,756 to $52,252, a range lower than any other educational facility. The new contract for elemen- tary school teachers has the top pay salary at $60,248 in the second year of their two-year contract, while over the same time period the highest salary for community college teachers is $58,710. On Nov. 14, in an effort to end the four-week strike, the tea- chers' union and the Ontario Colle ge of Regents agreed to have Teplitsky impose a contract if negotiations hadn't been set- tled by Nov. 30. President of Local Union 354, Peter McKeracker, said, "This isn't a perfect offer that we got. The real disappointment was the salary position but that was not the number one issue.~ We got a much better sick leave plan even though it is a two-tier system." McKeracker says there will be a local meeting tomorrow (Thurs- day) to explain the arbitrator's award and answer questions from union members. Second lowest tender recommended For the difference of $1.08, Whitby's operations committee would rather accept a tender for portable and mobile two-way radios from what is considered a more reputable company. The committee approved a staff recommendation to accept the second lowest tender of Wil- liam Communications for ·$5,518.80, for the supply and installation of the radios for the parks and recreation depart- ment. It is normally Town procee- dure to accept the lowest tender. The lowest tender came in a $5,517.72. However, parks and recreation staff contacted other municipali- ties who have used the.services of the company offering the lowest tender to confirm their ,reliability and to learn of the radio offered by the company, as well as learn about parts and service requirements. A large municipality in the Metro area reported some diffi- culy with the reliablity of the equipment, as well as some pro- blems.with parts and service. Final acceptance of the second lowest teider is pending Whitby council approval, expected to be addressed at the Dec. 11 meet- ing. HELP SUPPORT BROOKLIN DISTRICT LIONS CLUB Ernarealtradidon CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE SCOTCH PINE & SPRUCE $20.OO OPEN WEEKENDS • HAYRIDES • FREE APPLE CIDER • CANDY CANES FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BILL IRVINE 655-8754, AT THE FARM 655-3205. ROLUNG MEADOWS FARM INOW OPE