Concerns have arisen among students in northern Ontario regarding the potential impact of the province-wide strike by college support workers on their academic pursuits.
Ontario’s 24 public colleges witnessed thousands of full-time support workers initiating strike action on Thursday, citing job security as the primary reason, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
The OPSEU represents full-time college support staff across various job categories, such as disability services, library, student services, facilities management, trades, co-op programs, registrar services, and financial aid.
The support staff negotiation team from OPSEU expressed disappointment as the College Employer Council abruptly ended discussions following a lack of response since 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Negotiations have been ongoing since June as the current contract for support workers expired on September 1.
‘Concerns Regarding Coursework’
Anthony McGlade, a student studying mining engineering technology at Cambrian College, voiced apprehensions about the strike potentially hindering his coursework completion.
McGlade highlighted the impact on classes requiring equipment sign-out for practical work, emphasizing the essential role of support staff in facilitating such activities.
Similarly, Sara Robillard, a registered practical nurse student at Cambrian College, expressed concerns about limited access to technical support during the strike, especially for IT-related assistance.
‘Significant Impact’
Maddy Miller, a nursing student at Cambrian College, shared worries about the strike affecting hands-on simulation labs despite minimal immediate class disruptions.
Ryuki Nault, an architectural technology student at Collège Boréal, expressed fears about potential challenges in course registration due to the ongoing strike.
Nault emphasized the urgency of resolving issues promptly to address personal learning plan matters, underscoring the necessity of support staff assistance.
Steve Feukang, a computer science student at Collège Boréal, expressed solidarity with the striking support workers, advocating for their rights and the continuity of services at the college.
Valerie Lalonde, a trades student at Collège Boréal, emphasized the substantial impact of the strike on essential services for shop classes and the overall learning experience.
