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4-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 10, 1997 Quiet Brakes. Guaranteed. • Guaranteed Quiet • Vehicles Specific Formulas • OE Style Chamfers and Slots for Perfect Match BRAKE • Premium Constrained Layers Shims PARTS • Wear Sensors Identical to OE • Shear Tested • Premium High Temperature Molly Lubricant • Limited Lifetime Warranty HIDEN G H I TSooner or Later, [ Class I - Y ,> You>ll Own Generas' Teachers worry: Contract could be 'stripped' By TIM WHITNELL Special to The Champion uIt might be easier A top official with the region's elementary teachers' union said there is reason for her members to worry since they have no contract and the Halton Board of Education is in a position to 'strip' its existing agree- ment. Lack of a new deal with the public school board, following trustees' rejection of a proposed agreement last week, and news of the Simcoe County board stripping' their teachers' contract a few weeks ago, is cause for concern, said Erica Andrews, president of the Halton Elementary Teachers' Association. "That is very definitely an option," noted Ms Andrews. "They could unilaterally 'strip' our con- tract," she said of the Halton board. 'They could look at any part of the (old) collective agreement, salaries, staffing (benefits, etc.), and do what they want." However, Halton board Chair Linda Glover, who confirmed the board has been in such a position since May 25, indicated it doesn't make any sense to take such drastic steps since the board recently requested a mediator be appointed in talks with the elementary teachers. "If we're going to mediation, that's not being con- sidered," Ms Glover said of contract 'stripping'. The board chair, who added, "It's destructive not to have a deal", said a provincially-appointed mediator could be named within a couple of weeks. In the meantime, the region's 1,750 public elemen- tary teachers engaged in a vote Thursday to determine if the association should seek assistance from its provincial federations. Ms Andrews expected the vote to pass easily, as well as a subsequent vote by the Ontario federations' executive committee. It means a revamped negotiating team consisting of up to 1l members culled from the local association and the provincial federations could be in place soon for mediation. Ms Glover, who said she was in favour of a pro- posed deal with the elementary teachers, one that died for good last week when trustees voted not to recon- sider the issue, indicated more monetary concessions from the teachers is the reason some trustees scuttled a tentative deal with the elementary association. Trustees decided to seek $5.5 million in reductions to board employee salaries and benefits, some of which they have achieved through deals with some of its non-teaching groups. But Ms Glover speculated some trustees might pre- fer to have someone else do their work for them. Education Minister John Snobelen is rumored to make an announcement next week about the status of collective agreements with teachers. This week legis- lation was introduced by the provincial Conservatives which might prevent municipal workers from striking for two years. "They could be waiting to see what the govemment has to say," Ms Glover said of some trustees. "(But) I don't see what good it (proposed legislation) would do. We won't be able to make any changes at the local level. It might be easier to say the govemment did it, but that's the chicken's way out." Why do I need a Financial Planner? BOB REID "ve done OK managing my savings this far lin life. Besides, all a financial planner wants to do is sell me life insurance, or mutual finds. I can buy those myself, direct from the company and save some money in the bargain because I don't have to pay commissions. Anyway, what can a financial planner do for me that I can't do myself? THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE FUTURE For starters, financial planning is more than just buying life insur- ance and mutual funds. It's about laying the foundation for a secure future. It's about having a full-time advisor for your money - not just the few hours (minutes?) a year you can spare to look after y our RRSP. It's about preserving capital for your heirs, and saving tax dollars in the process. It's knowing that the money you've worked hard to make will be around to save you time, money and most important of ail, I can offer you peace of mind that the future will unfold as you wish. IT'S ABOUT IMPROVING YOUR FUTURE As an independent financial planner, I study ail sorts of investment products and assess their suitability for my clients - people from all walks of life, each with very different circumstances. I would be glad to discuss ail your investment choices. Initial consultation at no charge, and of course any discussions will be completely confidential. Please call me at (905) 875-3237 to arrange an appointment. W.R. (Bob) Reid Donaldson Bourgon Financial Services 101-310 Main St. E., Trafalgar Square, Milton Ass>ciated with INvTHEImN TCEN RE Y