we atte ty ital, ar eee ay ey “aeiy SIRE ete Scored peepee ist { Canada’s: Number One { Suburban: Newspaper F NORTH AND W January 4, 1985 News 985-2131 Classified 986-6222 Circulation 98 Arbitration a TEACHERS IN North and West Vancouver have been awarded a 2.5 per cent wage increase for the next six months, but the two school boards haven’t finished yet in their battle to hold the line on spending on salaries. The 2.5 per cent wage in- crease was awarded by a Lower Mainland arbitration panel that heard both cases. The award covers the period from January | to June 30. The question of what teachers will be paid was sent to arbitration late last year when negotiations in both districts failed to result in agreement on a new con- tract. (The News incorrectly reported earlier that West Vancouver had settled with its teachers.) The award of the pay in- crease must now go {to pro- vincial compensation’ stablization program chair- ward still must man Ed Peck for his en- dorsement and that step will provide school districts with their last chance to fight the increases. ‘Our position is and has been all along that given the budget guidelines we have received from the provincial government, that we do not have the ability to pay (the wage increase),’’ says North Vancouver district secre- tary-treasurer Len Berg. In West Vancouver, school board chairman Margot Furk said as far as she is concerned the 2.5 per cent increase in salaries for a six month period exceeds limits on public sector wages that have been put in place. Gun held to head: EST VANCOUVER be approved The contracts cover only six months because of a change in school district’s fiscal years to match the school year, a process that begins this September. Negotiations between boards and teachers for a new one-year contract to take effect in September are expected to begin in March.