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Algonquin College nursing student Mia Menard says she is “totally supportive” of her professors who are threatening to strike on Monday.
“But at the same time, I’m really nervous about my own schooling, and what’s going to happen,” said the 23-year-old in an interview Friday. Her reaction was typical among a smattering of students interviewed on campus as the clock ticks toward a Monday morning strike deadline set by the faculty union.
College president Cheryl Jensen has said students won’t lose their academic year. Even so, Menard, who expects to graduate in April, wonders whether the school term would be extended if there is a strike. “That would mean no summer job, I guess, which kind of sucks.”
Like everyone on campus, she’s waiting to see if there is a breakthrough in talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the management team representing the province’s 24 colleges.
“It’s kind of like playing chicken on the road,” she said. “Who’s going to back out first?”
Negotiations broke down this week. Both sides say they want a deal. The management team calls its last offer fair, with no concessions and a wage increase similar to those accepted by college support staff and the Ontario public service. The union calls the offer a “poison pill” that doesn’t meet concerns about contract teachers, academic freedom and college governance.
The contract covers 12,000 professors, instructors, counsellors and librarians, both full-time and “partial load” employees who work seven to 12 hours a week.
In its bulletins to members, the union says the management offer would expand the number of contract faculty with precarious part-time jobs, allowing colleges to “never have to hire a full-time faculty member again.” Having full-time faculty with job security improves learning conditions for students, they argue.
The College Employer Council disputes that interpretation, saying its offer contains “no concessions.” Some professors prefer to work part-time, said Sonia Del Missier, chair of the bargaining team. For example, veterinarians and dentists may teach part-time in vet tech or dental hygiene programs.
The union proposals would cost the college system $400 million a year, which isn’t fiscally responsible, she said.
The union is also calling for the creation of Senates similar to those at universities, where staff and student representatives help create academic policies. That is outside the scope of bargaining, says management.
Online petitions have been started by at least two groups. One demands that students be given a refund of their tuition for every day professors are on strike. Many college students work minimum wage jobs to support themselves, and are counting on education as a ticket to employment, says that petition.
Another petition says students are “in solidarity” with faculty, and urges management to stop the “brinkmanship” and get back to bargaining. “As students we know better paid faculty with secure employment translates into a better educational environment.”
In a message posted Friday, Algonquin vice-president Claude Brulé offered tips on how to cross picket lines, saying students should be calm and courteous.
Management has told the union it wants to meet over the weekend to “come to a settlement based on the colleges’ final offer,” according to a statement from the College Employer Council.
Here’s what a few Algonquin students had to say:
“To be honest, it’s kind of bad for students who might not be able to finish their courses. But (a short strike) also gives students time to catch up on courses, so that’s good.”
— Ty Johnny, 19, studying to be a computer technician
“I don’t know the reasoning behind it, so I can’t take any sides. But it doesn’t matter if it’s a full or a part-time professor as long as I’m getting the help I want.”
— Willanda Innocent, 19, studying to be a developmental services worker
“I think it’s awesome they (professors) are trying to get more rights for themselves but it’s such a complex issue. I just hope it gets resolved soon. I’m for the teachers, but the whole striking thing is a little bizarre. As a first-year student, I’m not used to this.”
— Daniel Dubeé, 18, in the office administration program
“OK, if I support the teachers, does that mean I want them to strike? I like their cause, but they are making us suffer. Like, I get their point, but don’t screw us over.”
— Amy Xie, 19, in the office administration program
查看原文...
“But at the same time, I’m really nervous about my own schooling, and what’s going to happen,” said the 23-year-old in an interview Friday. Her reaction was typical among a smattering of students interviewed on campus as the clock ticks toward a Monday morning strike deadline set by the faculty union.
College president Cheryl Jensen has said students won’t lose their academic year. Even so, Menard, who expects to graduate in April, wonders whether the school term would be extended if there is a strike. “That would mean no summer job, I guess, which kind of sucks.”
Like everyone on campus, she’s waiting to see if there is a breakthrough in talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the management team representing the province’s 24 colleges.
“It’s kind of like playing chicken on the road,” she said. “Who’s going to back out first?”
Negotiations broke down this week. Both sides say they want a deal. The management team calls its last offer fair, with no concessions and a wage increase similar to those accepted by college support staff and the Ontario public service. The union calls the offer a “poison pill” that doesn’t meet concerns about contract teachers, academic freedom and college governance.
The contract covers 12,000 professors, instructors, counsellors and librarians, both full-time and “partial load” employees who work seven to 12 hours a week.
In its bulletins to members, the union says the management offer would expand the number of contract faculty with precarious part-time jobs, allowing colleges to “never have to hire a full-time faculty member again.” Having full-time faculty with job security improves learning conditions for students, they argue.
The College Employer Council disputes that interpretation, saying its offer contains “no concessions.” Some professors prefer to work part-time, said Sonia Del Missier, chair of the bargaining team. For example, veterinarians and dentists may teach part-time in vet tech or dental hygiene programs.
The union proposals would cost the college system $400 million a year, which isn’t fiscally responsible, she said.
The union is also calling for the creation of Senates similar to those at universities, where staff and student representatives help create academic policies. That is outside the scope of bargaining, says management.
Online petitions have been started by at least two groups. One demands that students be given a refund of their tuition for every day professors are on strike. Many college students work minimum wage jobs to support themselves, and are counting on education as a ticket to employment, says that petition.
Another petition says students are “in solidarity” with faculty, and urges management to stop the “brinkmanship” and get back to bargaining. “As students we know better paid faculty with secure employment translates into a better educational environment.”
In a message posted Friday, Algonquin vice-president Claude Brulé offered tips on how to cross picket lines, saying students should be calm and courteous.
Management has told the union it wants to meet over the weekend to “come to a settlement based on the colleges’ final offer,” according to a statement from the College Employer Council.
Here’s what a few Algonquin students had to say:
“To be honest, it’s kind of bad for students who might not be able to finish their courses. But (a short strike) also gives students time to catch up on courses, so that’s good.”
— Ty Johnny, 19, studying to be a computer technician
“I don’t know the reasoning behind it, so I can’t take any sides. But it doesn’t matter if it’s a full or a part-time professor as long as I’m getting the help I want.”
— Willanda Innocent, 19, studying to be a developmental services worker
“I think it’s awesome they (professors) are trying to get more rights for themselves but it’s such a complex issue. I just hope it gets resolved soon. I’m for the teachers, but the whole striking thing is a little bizarre. As a first-year student, I’m not used to this.”
— Daniel Dubeé, 18, in the office administration program
“OK, if I support the teachers, does that mean I want them to strike? I like their cause, but they are making us suffer. Like, I get their point, but don’t screw us over.”
— Amy Xie, 19, in the office administration program
查看原文...
