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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1980, PAGE 19 Custodian strike averted by late decision workers offered 7.5 percent An lith hour settiement averted a walkout by Durham's 350 public school board custodians last Tuesday when union and board negotiators reached a tentative agreement just prior to the st.rike dead line of midnight. A spokesman for the Canadilan Union of Public Employees said the bargaining committee recommended that the workers accept the proposais contract In a vote held Sunday night. "I'm most glad that the students' education won't suffer," said school board chairman Art Winter. "Now there's no danger of that. " He said that the board in- tended on keeping the schools open as long as possible should a strike have been called. Several years ago a similar strike by the separate school board custodians caused -,the schools to close.. A spokesman for CUPE, Russ Whitney said that the agreement was reached at 8:45 p.m., just 15 'Minutes before the union could not have avoided a strike. A walkout would have taken janitors and main- tenance workers off of the job in about 100 elementar and secondary sehools throughout the region. It would have been the fir- st strike in-their history. At publication time the resuits of the new contract vote and the details of the agreement were not avallable. The old contract, which expired last March, saw the custodians earn an average hourly wage of $6.86. CUPE proposed a two- year contract which called for eight per cent wage in- crease in the first year and a six per cent increase and cost of living allowance in the second a few months ago when negotiations first began. The board proposed a one year agreement without the inflation allowance but later switched it's proposai to a two year deal. They have offered a 7.5 per cent in the first year ans sever per cent in the second. The union was also seeking improvements In benefits, vacations and 10 .O1 Brock St. S. Whitby I 668-8865 M summer work hours, in ad- dition to a clause guaran- teeing the board wilI not con- tract out work. Whitby ringette association The Whitby Ringette Association will hold a registration day for the 1980- 81 season, this Saturday at the iroquois Park Arena between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration will be for ail girls in ail divisions and the fee wiil be $45 per person. The first 75 girls registered wiil receive a free pass to Saints Roller Skating Rink. For more information cal 668-2348 or 668-6284. WHITBY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COMMEMORATIVE PLATES 1980 CELEBRATING WHIT.BYs 125th BIRTH DAY Drawing by RoyAustin, Cambridge, Ont. Avadable at MIDDLETON'FS MESHERS MUNICIPAL BUILDING OR CONTACT BETI WELDON 510 Euclid St. 668-1152 PLATE IN POTTERY $ PLATE 1 ROSENTHAL 1 CHINA ASK TRA YS WALPLAQUES$5 Bobette Salon of Beauty presents a Fashion Show Thursday September 11 1lp.m. - 4 p.m. Drop ln at 51 Baldwin St. Brooklln, and see and try on Chandelte's fait and wln- ter fash Ions. Free Draws Rot reshments wlI be served. .BASS ETTS LORRAINE COWEN Blair Buchanan, manager of FamiIy Trust Corporation Realtor, Whltby Office, Is proud to announce the ap- pointment of Lorrains Cowen as Sales Assoclate to our Whitby Team. Lorraine has recently been awarded the Top Jaycette in ail of Canada during the Jaycee National Convention In Regina. Siie looks for- ward to a long career In Real Estate. Lorraine may be reached at 6684988 or 6n3 14897. lý 77 , 77