John Patterson, the local OPSEU representative for the striking Canadore College faculty, says that his colleagues are disappointed that failed contract negotiations have resulted in a strike.
Some 500,000 students across the province, including approximately 3,000 locally, have seen their classes cancelled while college administrations and faculties position themselves on their talking points.
Patterson says that while the faculty contract did not expire until September 30, the union proposed 30 different dates to negotiate between July 4 and the end of August, that were all rejected by management.
Patterson adds that faculty would have been willing to settle in July if the schools had been willing to meet.
The union rep says that the first day of picketing has gone smoothly. He says the union members are cognizant of the unique situation at the main campus in North Bay, where Nipissing University students and staff must continue to be allowed to access facilities without much delay.
Monday, groups of picketers at both entrances to the Education Centre on College Drive stopped vehicles briefly to share information about the union’s positions on issues such as contract workers and the role of the faculty in academic oversight.
Management and security from Canadore College sat a short distance away, keeping an eye on interactions at the picket line. A North Bay Police Service vehicle also made a tour around the Education Centre to observe and make their presence felt at a picket line that Patterson says has gone “pretty good so far.”
As far as the chances for a quick settlement, Patterson says that if management wants to work out a deal today, the union is ready.
Please see separate article for reaction from Canadore College president and CEO George Burton on the first day of the strike.
