Students Unite to End Current Academic Labour Unrest
Toronto, ON—College students from across the province are uniting to deliver a simple equation to both the colleges and the over 10,000 full-time academic staff, “Strong Academics + Strong Colleges = Strong(er) Students”. The College Student Alliance (CSA) and its members are launching the Strong(er) Campaign today to remind the colleges and the faculty of their shared role in creating strong students and graduates.
“With faculty set to vote on the colleges’ ‘final’ offer this week and the very real threat of a province-wide academic strike looming over the college system, students are concerned as their education hangs in the balance,” says Justin Fox, President of the College Student Alliance.
The Strong(er) Campaign was designed to remind everyone why colleges exist, it’s the students. If there were no students then there would be no need for Ontario’s 24 colleges and their campuses in over 100 different communities. Along with wearing the ‘Strong(er)’ bracelets students will be sharing their personal worries, frustrations and explaining how a strike would impact them. All of the stories and video pleas will be uploaded to our central strike information website, www.collegestrike.ca.
“Students are frustrated, angry and panicked as the colleges and the union have not been able to resolve their issues in eight months of bargaining,” adds Fox.
The CSA and students are urging all full-time and partial load professors, librarians and counselors to review the final offer being proposed; think about where the right place for their students is; and vote on Wednesday, February 10th. The result is too important for everyone concerned. All academic staff must go out and exercise their vote.
“It is time that our colleges get back to focusing on providing relevant and timely education and training to ensure that Ontario and Ontarians are able to recover from the recent recession rather than facing a potential province-wide strike,” adds Tyler Charlebois, Director of Advocacy.
For more information on the potential strike and its impacts on students, visit www.collegestrike.ca.
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The College Student Alliance (CSA) is an advocacy and leadership organization, which has been proudly serving Ontario’s college and college-university students since 1975. The CSA currently represents 17 colleges and 25 member councils with over 127,000 full-time student members throughout the province.
Hello,
Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Have a nice day
Ivan
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@Mel
I am in the admissions office at Confederation College. Here, we do not require your final grades until July 15th, which is similar to most colleges. The possible strike definitely wont last that long.
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im not in favour of the strike, but what about the people that are in the programs that start in january? we’ll be screwed over for our marks to get in for the september programs.
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I teach nursing at a college that had a strong no vote, and no I do not want a strike. I will tell you that I took a pay cut to take this job, because it was something I wanted to do. I do not for one minute regret that decision, it is what I love to do (but thanks for pointing out other career options). I do not need to have someone point out to me that I could be making more money in management, I did that! It was not rewarding for me, so I pursued further education in order to teach, which is what is rewarding for me. I quite enjoy going to teach my students everyday, despite the long work hours. However, there are days that I miss my 8-4 job, because I always appear to be working. So for you and for us as faculty, we too are weary. We also work hard.
I agree with the other teacher, I feel like I have been harassed and bullied by the union and management since November. I really just want to do my job.
This is not about money for me…….and for the record, I do not make 100, 000 year as you claim, so no my math skills are very right. In order to make 100,000 you need to have been at the college a very long time you should read up on that. It is good to see how much faculty are appreciated though, or not in some cases.
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yaa im also sick of the “poor me” from the students. If teachers strike they strike.. big deal. it would be in our benefit anyways.. for our education u dums. If they do.. we will still have our semester it will just be a hard work load.. and go a bit longer.. biggg deal. Get over it.
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since my last comment was moded let me rephrase it in a more respectfull manner :
To amanda:
The fact that colleges are saying they have a plan in place to complete our semester is fine.. thats great… but they havent answered any questions regarding if we get our money back or not in respect to the possibility of us loosing our semester if this strike goes on long enough… How are you to know for sure they wont be the greedy bastards they are and make us pay again ?? and besides if u think students should stop thinking about themselves… why are u even on this website when more then 90% of people are against it…clearly mom and dad are probably paying your tuition or you have money coming out of ur behind and dont care like most of us starving students … you clearly didnt get the point that i was trying to bring across… Teachers keep saying its not about money or workload when clearly it is… Students are being lied to when we know the truth. that was the point im trying to get across
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i agree with amanda lol
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I would ask students to not paint all thier professors with the same brush. If you recall 4 colleges voted no to the strike, and I believe that some colleges will vote in favour of this agreement. Will it be a majority? I wish I knew.
I have not been a professor all that long, but I do love what I am doing, and yes I could make more money using my creditials outside. Do we work some long hours. Yes, but you do that in the real world as well.
To be honest, I am not sure the Union even knows who they are. As one of the schools that did vote no to strike, we have been subjected to being spoken to like children, about how we have caused friction in the union, and how the union is disappointed by the vote, etc. Some people need to give their heads a shake and realize that we are the union, and it is spoken as this third entity out there. At our college we voted not to strike, and instead of talking down to us, they need to respect our feelings as well, even though it is a minority, and not speak down to us.
It is unbelievable the propoganda we the teachers are being fed by BOTH sides. In speaking to many of my colleagues, we are tired of the whole thing, we do not want to strike, but we end up compelled to do what the majority votes for. Not unlike a general election where we get stuck with whatever politicians get voted in by the majority who vote.
Regardless what the vote is, students, remember if the vote is close, and I suspect it will be closer than the strike vote province wide, that whichever side ‘loses’ the vote, there are a significant number of teachers that feel that way.
Do not be afraid to ask your teachers, if you want to know. Some of you don’t. But remember it is unfair to paint us all with the same brush. We are as individual as you are.
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STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE…. already!!!
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Hey Mohawk student and Merk……………if you read the teachers comments they are referring to the time being compensated……..not money! Stop assuming, wish I had a teacher that dedicated. And to whoever said all they care about was their family, like you would be any different??? I am hoping for a 8-4 job, I’d be pissed if I had to work evenings and weekends for free too like some of them. Are we not studying to be professionals here!!!! Some of your comments are down right embarrassing.
That teacher is one vote, in the big scheme of things, lets hope her/his no vote counts. Cheers to all of you who voted no today………………
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Dear Prof.
I am so very sorry that you are working for minimum wage. I do understand all of the time you spent studying for your career.
As a matter of deduction I have figured a few things about you through your comment here.
1 – You are not an Ethics Prof.. A blatant lie is very unethical.
2 – You are not a Science or Mathematics Prof.. Your numbers don’t add up, Minimum wage? 67.5 hours a week average?
Lets do some quick figures, for the average FULL Professor with out Administrative Duties in Ontario to make MINIMUM WAGE.
Average income $100000.00, Average Months worked 10, but I will use 12. Minimum wage in Ontario for 2011 $8.75. 100000 salary /8.75 minimum wage=11428.5714 hours/52 weeks =219.78022/5 days = 49.956044 worked in one day. Correct me if I am wrong, but there are only 24 hours in a day. Now if you worked 24 hours a day 5 days a week at the average Annual salary you will make almost twice the Minimum Wage in Ontario.
NOW tell me it’s not about the money for you?
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STUDENT
Actually I am graduating this year. June actually. In 2006 I was graduating too from another program when the teachers went on strike for three weeks. Check your mailbox, there is a box of tissues being FedEx to you.
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Everyone keeps forgetting this,but the profs have EVERY RIGHT TO STRIKE. So tired about the “poor me” students.1,2 or 3 weeks isn’t the end of the world.I’m a mature student myself and i have no worries either way,strike or no strike.I have never seen a bigger group of whinny kids in my life.Grow up and stop being to damn selfish.
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Amanda,
The possibility of the semester being pushed into the summer is very real. If the strike lasts over 3 weeks and the workload can’t be condensed into the time period that remains when we get back they will extend the semester, the teachers have already stated this.
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I love how so many people want the teachers to strike, you must be first year or not graduating this year i don’t want them to strike cause that will effect my learning and ability to graduate if it goes on too long, I understand there are a lot of selfish people in this world, but you need to understand that there are students that need to graduate this year and some of us are going on internship next month and don’t need for that to be cut because of the stirke.
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John,
You won’t be going to school in the summer. I don’t know who brought up that idea, but it’s ludicrous
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wow what a genius you are “please strike” going on a vacation in the winter and goes to school in the summer. You social life talks for it self.
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@ APROF NURSING PROFESSOR
First of all, stop complaining about a decision you made for yourself. Your an RN with a master’s degree, why IN GOD’S NAME did you get into teaching in the BScN program? If you remained a practising nurse you would of most definately been able to obtain a Nurse Manager or a Charge Nurse position in a hospital, easily surpassing a pay rate of $100k/year.
Look at this link, check out how many RN’s are on this list making well over $100k/year, some making even more than Doctors: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2009/hospit09.html
You made the decision to teach nursing rather than continue practising, so too bad for you! simple. Quit your teaching job and go back to practising Nursing. You have a Master’s degree, you should’ve been smart enough to know you were making a dumb move, lol.
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I really don’t get why everyone is so worried over the strike. I personally hope they go on strike, If you fully understand why there going on strike, people wouldn’t mind as much either. I was talking to a teacher who was encouraging everyone to strike at my school and she was telling me how they want to change the student admission into programs into like, 200-300 students per class. I dont know about you guys, but i don’t want to have that many people in my program. So their fighting for us, for our better chances to succeed. If you think about it, with 200 kids in a class there is no way a single teacher would be able to give the attention each and every student should get. so that is why they are going on strike, and you know what? if they are out for a week-three weeks it really isnt that bad. we wouldn’t lose our semester and we wouldn’t have to pay again. so everyone needs to just chill out and relax. if they go on strike, they go on strike.
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To the crybaby student (Merk)
Dude. You won’t loose your bloody year or semester. Your crying over nothing. And you will get a refund, sometimes a partial one if you do. The colleges have a set plan up for any fallouts from the strike. Go buy some tissues. Students need to stop thinking of themselves.
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merk, probably(=actually) you will not pay if strike happens but you will continue ur study after strike gone.
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plz strike!! I need vacantion anyway for 2weeks something
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Go on strike because i require a vacation anyways and make it last into April
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strike strike strike strike
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To the teacher who wrote the last comment.
I think what people are really worried about here is this. We pay tuition right?. and it keeps going up every year right ? A strike mandate is passed and we get to wonder if we loose our semester or not. If we were to end up loosing it … WE LOOSE OUR MONEY AND HAVE TO PAY AGAIN NEXT YEAR… WE DONT GET OUR MONEY BACK. AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE LIKE YOU AND HAVE CHILDREN OR WHATNOT… ALOT OF US CANT AFFORD TO PAY AGAIN. Send this message to your union if we really are against a strike. We dont get our semester we want our money back.
Fine you guys have a lot of work with marking and what not. I dont doubt for one minute that teachers work their asses off. But here’s what really urks me. YOU WANTED TO BE A TEACHER… COLLEGE TEACHER AT THAT…EXPECT THE GOD DAMN WORKLOAD. You say its not about money … let me quote what you said : ” You all talk about quality education, tell me, is it to much to request that we adequately be compensated.” <— NOTE THE COMPENSATED PART ????!!!!???
And what about the certain courses that wont be offered at certain colleges next year… WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM ???
Do you really think for one minute that we don't live in the REAL world.. you want us to reflect " whether or not your hard work as a student is reflective of what you earn…………compared to what you really do." I was in the military for 3 god damn years… you think they are paid enough for what they do .. what they see everyday overseas in Afghanistan… with the risk of loosing their life everyday ???? that was my REAL WORLD … Quit your bitching… the new pay increase will bring the max salary to 103,000 $ per year… a Master Corporal at the top of his salary makes no more then 60 to 70k's a year BEFORE taxes ( YUP YOU SERVE UR COUNTRY AND YOU STILL GET TO PAY TAXES) and they are at risk of getting blown up, and give out orders that could result in casualties from they're side as well as civilians …. do U have that kind of responsibility ??? DIDN'T THINK SO … PLUS your new salary is 7000$ LESS than what an MPP makes. IS UR WORK REALLY EQUAL TO WHAT AN MPP DOES.. didnt think so.
And in the next 3 years i pitty the students that will be in college… you know why ? … BECAUSE THEY'LL BE IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION WE ARE …. AND YOU'LL STILL BE BITCHING ABOUT QUALITY OF EDUCATION !!!!!
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I am nursing student and see the hard work our teachers put in (I can’t speak for the rest of your programs). I will support them with whatever they decide, might even bring them a Tim Horton’s if they walk the picket line. Frankly a short break will let me catch up on all of the reading.
Not all students think our teachers just show up for a 3 hr class, trust me, our nursing profs are working all of the time…..they answer emails at midnight, on weekends, during holidays. We all need to see a different side of the story besides how this affects us. Who knows, maybe we will be working at a college someday and walk in their shoes. I can appreciate what this teacher says, yes it sucks to be out on strike but they have no control over this really
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Okay, enough already. For months I’ve listened to all these whiney students acting like the world is gonna end. OMG a strike, my life is over! Technically, it isn’t. I’m sick of students acting like they just got told they have cancer. It’s not just here but all over facebook and twitter. First of all, you won’t loose money, the semester will be completed. This will be my second college strike, the first being the one in 2006 which lasted three weeks on a final term. The school year DID NOT extend. Nor did the quality of education get smaller. And even if it did extend, you won’t be paying for it. OSAP will not be tracking you down for munny, and Second Career students will have the government paying just as it would if you were in class.
I honestly do not care if they go on strike. It’s my second and last final term, I will graduate before the summer. All students in my program do not care either. Today people were hoping they would. Students need to shut up and let teachers fight for what they need. Bunch of whiney babies. Yikes.
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To “A prof”
If you really understood the student’s frustration, you would understand that the reason they are frustrated is they have NO choice. YOU DO. You actually get a vote. The students don’t get a say, and their lives and educations are on the line. It is just not right that the students, their families, and other workers at the colleges should have to suffer because of a disagreement between the teachers and the colleges. Especially when they are actually paying to be in school. Frankly, a strike should not even be an option for teachers, not with everything that is at stake for so many people. It will cost the students a great deal in money, time, and stress.
I’m sure your students appreciate your dedication and hard work, but few students or members of the public can support the teachers using the students as pawns. The strike would cost teachers in that they will lose a lot of respect, support and good will from the public and their students.
The bottom line is a strike really is just not worth it for anyone involved.
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hope their striking
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In regards to what the “Prof” Stated…….
It sounds to me that the comments you have put forth are of the fact that you seem to care only about how much time you get to spend with your family. As well you talk about it not being a money factor yet you make it quite clear that you do not get paid well enough for the hours you put in. Dont get me wrong if it wasent for the profs the students would not succeed in what they do in their careers but rest assure i am not going to let you turn this around and make the student body sound bad. You have made yourself very clear on the fact that all you want is more money for the time you put in. When you try to tell me that its about the students and all that jazz and your argument only reflects your personal life I wouldnt consider that a formal reason to be ranting around on this site. Have a great Day
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well thanks for the invite to the REAL world, i guess my fantasy land of 8,000 words a week, two part time jobs and a public relations internship is just a fluff off for me eh…. half the faculty that teaches me is without a doubt NOT WORTH the money they ask for,,,,4 weeks to get stuff back marked, and classes cancelled left right and sideways….give me a fuckin break teach,,,that is the real world…i condone your personal efforts, but really u cant speak for all the teachers involved in this, if i was one of those kind of teachers i mentioned above hell yeah id want more money too…
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GO PROFS GO .. I agree with the teachers .. I whole hartedly support the strike. Just keep in mind not to stretch it for too long ( if strike happens. I dont think any union has NOT ever supported the strike)
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Please strike. I need some good chill time.
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I hope the vote goes 51% in favour of the final offer. That will cause some dissension in the ranks and make the union lemmings buy cases of Maalox as I am doing now.
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If the strike does occur, would it start on the 17th?
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I don’t want the teachers to go on strike, but if that’s what it takes for the college to treat the teachers and students fairly then so be it.
My fist week of classes saw students sitting on the floor. Stuff like that is unacceptable. We as students should not been seen as a cash grab for the colleges. When is education going to come first?
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Hmmmm, as a teacher that I feel compelled to write something here. You really need to stop stating we are not looking out for your education you are SO wrong! Do you think this is really about money…..it is so not, read the literature that is out there! It is about being given adequate time to spend with you, in and outside of the classroom. I get paid for 44 hrs a work week, and work 65-70, so if you break that down I work for minimum wage (I have 6 years of university education a bachelor’s and a masters degree). My family suffers, when I work in the evenings and on weekends, for my students…………are you considering that as you all complain about how this strike will affect you? How be you think of my kids as you state we have no right to go on strike.
And for the person who stated they had to get up at 5 a.m…..etc, etc……..HEY I did that too. I did 30 hrs of class plus clinical time and then did a master degree while working Full time and raising a family. So yes I have an appreciation for your issues.
I teach in a BScN program, so a degree program that is being forced to fit those academic requirements in a college model. Do not for 1 minute think my quality of life does not suffer because I want to provide my students with a good education. As I sit here with 60 midterms to mark and 60… 10 page essays after that, do you think 15 minutes per 10 page essay is enough to “evaluate it”. That is all I am allotted. You all talk about quality education, tell me, is it to much to request that we adequately be compensated.
When you get out in the real world and work in a unionized environment , you will realize this is high stakes chess with a union. Do I want to strike……..NO I really don’t. However, I realize that there is more to my little ol’ opinion that counts here.
I understand your frustration but do not for 1 minute think we are happy with the idea that a strike might occur. I worked hard as a student to get to where I am today, so yes I GET IT. I would ask that you stop thinking about yourselves and see the environment that we are working in FOR YOU…..and for many more of you that will come in the next 3 years as we live with this contract.
When you are in the REAL world, I’d like you to reflect on whether or not your hard work as a student is reflective of what you earn…………compared to what you really do.
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—-Question for Admin—-
Just wondering when we will have an update on today’s results?
And if there is a strike -walkout will Wednesday the 17th be the actual first day or will it be 5 days following the 17th?
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We should receive the unofficial results some time later tonight. Most polling stations close at either 4:30 or 5PM. The union has give their strike deadline of the 17th, so presumably that would be the earlier, but I guess we’ll know more after the results are in. There isn’t a need for the 5 days notice as its already been given.
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@upset seneca college student
OSAP did not GIVE you money, it is a loan you are supposed to pay back after you graduate.
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I don’t even care if they strike but it better not last more than 3 weeks. If I lose my semester and don’t get my money back I will take them to court.
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Strike Already plz!!! stop wasting everyones time
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Regarding St. Clair students comment:
The CSA bracelets are free, given out to raise awareness. It is not a for profit scheme you make it out to be.
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I understand why everyone may be scared and frustrated with the idea of a strike…but, to say ignorantly that there is not a place for Unions in this society is just ridiculous. Although, striking may not be the best alternative for students, unions offer an importance in our workplaces, try to remember that when your employer is blantantly refusing basic employment rights, or hiring someone from overseas to do your job at a fraction of a price. Unions come with the good and the bad. It’s easy for us to judge the teacher’s, but if striking is the only way that they can be heard so be it.
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In regards to anyone that thinks the teachers have any pull right now they are out of their minds. I have been in the college system since 2005, through 1 strike already. I have missed almost 4 weeks already and now they are saying if a strike happens it will be 4-6 weeks, that means a large majority of people will lose their year. Personally I can’t afford to rent another month and a half, if my landlord doesn’t have somebody else in my apartment after my lease is over. Thousands of students, about 125000 or so are affected by 4500 or more teachers that for yes to strike. This whole scenario is outrageous, many of my family members have lost their jobs because of this economic downturn and now look, a bunch of professors that already have a contract worth keeping can’t agree to take more. More than they deserve thats for sure. As a student I find it insulting that I am used like a pawn in this imaginary game of chess.
Even children can come to an agreement over a dispute without walking away from each other. My suggestion is that all you professors out there, or people that think they have a valid point, that you take a good hard look at the amount of people that have lost their job or have had to settle for less just to keep it. Grow up and think of what you are doing, 125 thousand students education at risk? think about it.
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I’m pretty sure that the strike will only last about 3 weeks max because the government will step in and force a decision. I don’t believe that we will lose our semesters although we will need to catch up. Just make sure to study during the strike and be on top of all of your assignments. I’m in the Bachelor of Nursing program which is a University program. it has such an intense and heavy courseload and i’m not scared of the strike at all. just keep on top of things, learn your material and take the opportunity of not having classes to finish assignments and study.
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Unions serve no good use in todays society, at one time they were necessary however all they are good for today is causing hardship for those who truly care about the work they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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in my opinion, the faculty has a right to strike. When we’re all in the real world and our union contracts come to an end and the new contract seems unfair to us, we won’t be happy either and we won’t be thinking of the consequences of a strike on other people. We’ll be thinking of ourselves… putting myself in their shoes, if it was something that i believe in, i would do everything i could to make it happen. I find it funny that the people that say the teachers are being selfish and care about themselves go on in their post to say “It’s my education and they’re ruining it for me and what am I gonna do, and me me me…”. The teachers might be selfish to you…but we’re all kinda selfish when things affect us…
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ok look UNION look how many people are out of school and work for this strike. At my campus we have the caf ladies and the tim hortons ladies and the bookstore ladies. So get your shit together and vote no nevermind putting people out of work for weeks, they need to earn a living and they won’t be joining the picketing line and getting paid for it too. PS I HOPE THE TEACHERS FREEZE THEIR ASSES OFF PICKETING
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GO STRIKE!!!, everyone whining about the instructors need to realize they aren’t the only ones at fault here, the college’s are too, too many of you are whining and posting without thinking, I’m sure if you were a teacher you would want a fair contract. Really if you want to blame someone blame the colleges that most like won’t give our money back should we miss a big portion of the semester or if the semesters canceled (from what I’ve heard my college will cancel the semester and restart it next september if the strike goes over 4 weeks).
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can’t wait to finally find out their decision. it has been a long awaited reply. i think i speak for us all when i say we deserve to know. college students united!
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so wheres the money going that they make from these braclets….another way to get money.
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So if they vote ‘no’ for offer and there is a strike, no classes starting tomorrow, or Feb 17?
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I really like what Dylan had to say it is very true. I have read the offer as it has been posted on the Union’s website and the Colleges website and in looking at it from both perspectives all i see is an offer that is fair and resonable considering the economic climate we live in now. I also don’t like what I am seeing with the trends in unions today. Now when i say this do not think i am anti-union. I love the idea of a union and of employees being able to organize to protect their rights. What I don’t like is the fact that increasingly I see the larger unions and usually unions in the public sector using the fact that they can affect the lives of many to their advantage in bargining to get more. In looking at our current predicament what I see is the fact that if this does go to a strike and im convinced it will it is the fault of both sides. I implore you do not believe the fallacy the union is promoting that it is the colleges fault that there will be a strike since it simply is not true even though the union has taken certain actions to make it appear that this is true. One is the offer of binding arbitration. Historically arbitrated settlements have favoured the union and i would say the union knows that and because of that would know that the colleges would never accept it. This in my opinion is just a move to shift the blame to the colleges exclusively when both sides are to blame because they are just using us as bargining chips and not acknowledging that we have a real interest in this. This is just my two cents.
Geoffrey B.
2nd year Computer Systems Network Technician
Centennial College
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Looking forward to seeing the results of the vote being posted either tonight or Thursday morning, I’d like to see if it’s worth going to school for the rest of the week…
I’ve reviewed the old offer from both sides, and I have no idea why they threw it out the window, especially when they should be glad they’re getting SOMETHING. Coming out of a recession and asking for 10% over 3 years is ridiculous. Not to mention they want less time in class, and “educational independence”. If you want to teach a course the way you want to, go teach at a university. Here the guidelines imposed keep the information taught relevant and up-to-date. Careers with practical implications need these guidelines, so the teachers won’t skip something crucial because they believe it ‘not important’ or something.
This is just a first year student who’s about $5000 in the hole for his first year, and seeing a strike doesn’t improve anything.
I’m going to quote an old friend of mine: “Unions were a great idea back in the 1800s, where you were forced to work 14 hours a day 7 days a week, and one little slip could get you beaten to within an inch of your life. In the modern world they only exist to let employees abuse the system to work less for more pay.”
Shit, be happy you have a job after the recession.
/rant
Dylan K.
1st Year Computer Engineering Technology student
Doon Campus, Conestoga College.
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hey teachers /professors whatever you wanna call yourselfs these days, you think you would like to put yourselfs in our shoes for one day. Getting up at 5 am to take two buses and a subway to get to school for 8 am classes which are important ( to graduate ) Having the fact that OSAP is giving us money to receive education and knowing that we wanna be here , the teachers don’t .Picture your children , going to college and paying for themselves or even better you guys / girls paying for them , close to graduation and then it hits you, their college wants to strike and wants them to be held back from graduation and full time employment.
I’m a Social Service Worker Gerontology Student who is waiting on graduation in April, if the college does strike not only can it stop my graduation but it can hold me back from possibly being able to be employed full time for a year for a maturnity contract at a long term care home where I am currently working part time for as a Program Aid. Don’t claim that ” this strike is for the students” cause if thats the case why are you asking for more money and lesser of a workload. Just suck it up , I work for the healthcare sector and I am part of the union and I am faced with many challenges, its part of working and being adult. Plus aren’t half of the classes taught in colleges are time management ? can’t handle the workload? picture yourself a student who works part time , has essay after essay after test to study for and still is sitting at the front of your class at 8am. So go strike be a baby , don’t you know going to work after a strike is going to be a miserable time for you and half of the faculty ( in the classroom and around the campus)
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I seriously hope we can avoid the strike, As a student I’m not against the faculty members and their decision but I hope they would consider our education as well as their benefits. To those saying they want the strike so they can go on a vacation here is a question, what are you going to do in the winter? play hokey? ice skate? Wow then I don’t get why you would pay that much college tuition fees. Back to the important issue, I pray to god there will be no strike at the same time I hope the faculty members would eventually get a deal that will somewhat satisfy their demand.
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I am very interested to see how the vote goes today, by voting yes the teachers are going against the unions decision that was made on the contract. The union is the deciding body they voted in to fight for their rights in the first place . Voting against the union is sending a clear message that you dont need need them to arbitrate on your behalf and if thats the case, just wait till next time there is a labour dispute and see how far they get on their own when the colleges impose whatever they want.
Either way I dont hold anything against the teachers if they vote no, this whole thing has been a ‘pass the blame game’ contest and right now the teachers are holding the card. Next week it will be on someone else for not doing something they might or might not have the power or want to do.
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What I dont understand is …..if the teachers strike which is highly possible, what are they going to do for the students? We pay out the nose to get an education and this is how they treat us? This isnt a high school strike where the money that is loss is the governments… this is my hard earned cash! If you really are for the students, wouldnt you see how much havock this would create for them? So my message is this:
Teachers,
If you want to strike… thats fine….i just want my money back!
Thanks!
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I find this whole mess a disgusting display of academic terrorism by the faculty. I realize that this is extreme, but how could I possibly agree with a system that is holding my future in jeopardy over an issue that never seems to be solved, with or without a strike. If they reject and do go on strike, I may not graduate on time this term, but I have already lined up a summer job which I start the week after we are currently scheduled to end classes. worse still, I am pursuing more school at a different college next year and have just accepted. what happens if the school term is extended? there are too many unanswered questions..
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What is the likelihood of a strike?
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Removing access to the workload formula for up to 20% of faculty will not result in “stronger academics” and it certainly isn’t what the Taskforce recommended. The offer will result in academics with absolutely no time credits given for out-of-class assistance, preparation, evaluation, or feedback to students. That won’t result in strong(er) students.
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So the voting has probably started now so will c what happens. hopefully there is no strike.
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What we really need to see is that teachers realize their ass should be working for that paycheck instead of bitching to their union about how to get More money, teacher cap salary 100,000?
Well slap me sideways, I had a teacher ask us to make us submit our own test questions for marks once, my coursing was a joke. What focus is there on the student? REALLY? some aspects are good, but teachers striking is not the answer, this economy cant afford more fund disruption, especially locally(Windsor)
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So if the vote is in favor of rejecting the offer tomorrow, does that mean they will walk out at anytime, or will the walk out be on the 17th?
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strike already, so all will end sooner and we can get some vacation
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May God bless all the faculty and give them wisdom to make the right decision so they can avoid the strike and protect the students future from hold up.
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what i want to know is why st.clair college voted yes to strike and the “moto” or phrase for the school is “OUR FOCUS IS YOU”
doesn’t look like your focus is us right now at all if it was you wouldn’t have voted yes to the strike thanx.
If this strike happens its going to screw so many students over.
i just personally wanted to thank you for that. (the union and teachers that is)
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Way to go TY!
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I thought the vote for the strike was moved to the 17th, although the past 2 articles on this site have mentioned as if the vote has once again been moved back to the 10th.
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The strike vote was already taken, what was moved by the union was their strike deadline from the 11th to the 17th. Tomorrow, February 10th, is the vote on the colleges’ final offer. All of the articles and posts on this site are correct.
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The final vote is tomorrow? Will we know then what is being done for SURE this time?
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thats good
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Is the CSA asking management to agree to binding arbitration if the offer is refused?
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Our membership has not decided yet on our next steps and asks in the event the final offer is rejected tomorrow.
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Power to the students!
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Andddddd thats our best move. To be honest guys, student union in Canada is a joke. Me being a foreigner here has seen real students unions where gov’t listens to the students because students are young, energetic and the future.
Let me ask you this question guys. How many of you have actually voted for your student council ? I dont know the stats but I’m willing to bet that all over Ontario, the vote % for student council will be under 30%.
University student council is not much better but atleast they have larger populations and different cultures have different clubs where there is some student activity.
Students need to realize that we are the power and we are a sleeping giant right now. And issues like these are maybe not good for us students but lets hope we wake up. Lets have our voices heard. College tution is rediculously high. Books are so expensive that my jaw drops when I goto bookstore. And then we read 7 chapters out of 23 in the text and have to sell them for the price of dirt back to the bookstore where they make fortune again by putting a USED sticker on it and still make 200% profit on it. When are we as students are going to take matters in our own hands ?
WHEN ????????????????????
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I commend CSA on their hard work to keep the public and students informed of the goings on during the negotiations. I think it’s important to keep college students informed and active in this unsteady time, so that all parties involved are reminded that their decisions effect more than just the faculty of the colleges, but also the reason they are there, the students. Giving the students a strong voice helps them stay relevant during bargaining discussions, and the stronger their voice, the more likely a deal will be reached without a lengthy strike. Hopefully this issue will be resolved without students missing out on their education.
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Will these bracelets be available on campuses across Ontario? or is there some place we have to go specifically to get them.
I’ve been following the strike very closely — I’m a student at Humber college — and I’ve come to the conclusion that this is all just a kick in our teeth. You don’t go into teaching for the money, you go into it for the ability to make an impact on peoples lives. Life is just politics, but this is getting beyond political it’s childish. Why should we as students suffer for childish mistakes on both sides. Life is about compromising, relationships are about compromising, you may not want to compromise yourself feeling that it’s not going to be a good idea but you have to think of the greater good.
Professors are worried a bit about money from what I’ve gathered. But what about us? where we have to pay for the time in school. Take for instance a General Arts program at Humber; the cost is 3052.70$ for the year, that will give you 30 credit hours. That’s 101 dollars PER HOUR that we pay — not including books — so what about us? why do the students not get a say in this? I pay for them to work, they want a pay increase? well I don’t want a tuition increase!
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The Strong(er) bracelets are being distributed by our members Student Associations. You should be able to get one from the HSF offices at both campuses.
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Too late! If you had pressured management to make a real deal, we all wouldn’t be in this mess.
You may be advocates, but for what I have no idea.
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what time does the voting start?
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Voting will begin in the morning and go throughout the day.
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