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Candidates have their sav i Ward 3 Dog complaints increasing as town grows "Using Communication ta Build Better Communities" A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 144 No. 63 Tuesday, October 21, 2003ý j-~ éo * Pages $ 1.00 (GST included) p I ÎL:' hicboard's EAs return to classrooms BY TIM WHITNELL Special ta The Champion Special néeds students and their personal instructors were back in Halton's public schools yesterday. Ncarly 600 permanent, contracted, casu- al and supply educational assistants, ail members of Uic Halton District Educationai Assistants Association, voted to end tbeir 13-day strike agamast the Halton District School Board at a contract ratification meeting Sunday. The board and Uie union met wiUi a pair of provinciaily-appointcd mediators ail day Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday. Uic fourth such attcmpt to, tind a mcdiated solution to Uic staiemate, Uiat saw EAs bit the pickct lines October 7. No oUier details of Uic deai were avail- able at press time yesterday aftemoon as Haiton board trustees were to hold Uieir own ratification vote st night. "Wc were ail working pretty bard and no one was losing Uieir cool," Dawn Beckett- Morton, lead negotiator for Uic Haiton board, said of Uie maraUion bargaining efforts of boUi sides and Uic two mediators. Last wcck Uie board had offered to, tack on a Uiird year to its latest contract offer. It would pay Uic EAs 3 per cent in each year while inereasing Uic paid workshift to, six hours front fivc-and-a-haif hours, which '113 firefighters climbing CN Tower stairs First to do it with gear on to donate or raise at least $50 for Uic United Way of Greater Toronto. But Walking up Torontots CN Tower is Milton Fire Dcpartmnent are sctting pledges Uic flreflghters colleet over a challenge for anyone. out to do Sunday momning in Uic CN' Uiat amount will go to Uic United Walking up Uic tower wearing a Towcr's annuai Stair Climb. Way of Milton. hcavy coat and pants plus a helmet is "We're Uic firat teamn to do (Uic Ifs fantastic," said Anne Eadie, a challenge only Uic fittest of Uic fit climb) wiUi our gear on," said tire- executive director of Uic United Way could accomplish. fighter Cbad Harper. of Milton. "It shows Uiey truly sup- That's just what 13 members of Uic Each walk participant is required port our community." Mr. Harper said Uic team is excitcd about supporting Uic United Way, of Milton. "The United Way enhances Uic quaiity of life in our community, which is aiso Uic goai of tire protec- tion and prevention," he said. Those interested in making a pledge can cail (905) 878-9251. the EAs wanted. With bentefit considerations, that pro- poscd deal would be worth 19.2 per cent, said board officiaIs, notmng Uhc average salary of an EA in Uhc final year of the con- tract (2004-05) would be $20.63 per hour, which they said would be comparable to salaries for EAs in neighbouring boards. EA union president Lynne Gurzi waan't available for comment on the tentative deal but last week shte maintained Uiat any offer made by the board would stili make Halton's EAs last ini thc Greater Toronto Area in tenna of pay. 'Me group was also looking for improvements in sick day ben- efits for its large contingent of contracted EAs. The contract between Uic board and its EAs expired more Uian a year ago. More than 100 elementary and high achool students wiUi specific emotional, physical and/or academnic needa, which are normally handled by an EA, had to be kept out of school on a daily basis during the strike. Hundreda more special needs kids in Halton's public achools went wiUiout EA support during the labour dispute. j Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Hooray!, 1 A group cf Martin Street Schooi atudents and former students celebrate lest week's Haiton District Schooi Board decision ta hait the sohool ciosure study. Comment ........ 6 Datolns ....... 17 Classified . 22 m-24 *a ndesqGsow 210 *cane tCommu e Mmoo F*"* Ait Moamu p* ~ RaCaaha *spoetCuah AivonUta * Uickts Photop.pi *slctod are.. only see P.-Ige 8 1 S'e Q 1) a!) e SERVING THE ARFA SINCE 1978