On Air Now

John Tesh

7:00pm - 1:00am

  • 519-537-1047

Now Playing

LEN

STEAL MY SUNSHINE

Download
Listen Live Listen Live HD2

Class Not in Session

Monday, 16 October 2017 13:11

Students at Colleges across Ontario including Woodstock are missing class today as their professors go on strike.

WOODSTOCK - After a proposal to the College Employer Council, The union representing some 12-thousand faculty members says the two sides just couldn't agree

The announcement of 24 Ontario Colleges striking came at 12:01 Monday morning.

OPSEU President for local 110 representing Fanshawe Colleges including Woodstock Darryl Bedford says there needs to be more pressure.

"Right now we are not at the bargaining table, we are waiting for that phone call so that we can get back to Toronto and get back to bargaining, we don't have it yet, I think public pressure and student pressure does need to be applied."

He adds that the two parties have been in talks since July, with three offers sent to OPSEU, with the latest not having any changes from the previous. Fairness for contract faculty, and maintaining a stable flow of full time faculty are some issues which has put the Ontario Colleges on strike.

Bedford says the union was left with no choice but to turn down the proposal and strike.

"The Union had made moves during the final weekend to advert a strike and make a deal and we did not see movement from the College Employer Council"

He adds that calling and writing MP's is integral to see things change, as 23 out of 24 colleges are generating surpluses. The faculty employed at Fanshawe College is made up of 68% contract workers, leaving them to re-apply for their own jobs every four months. 

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas called the current situation “regrettable” but adds that the college faculty have the full backing of the union’s 130,000 members and their $72 million strike fund.

The strike involves more than 12,000 professors, instructors, counsellors, and librarians across the province.  
 

Share

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.
Rating *

Weather

Recently Played

© Copyright 2026 104.7 Heart FM (CIHR-FM) is owned and operated by Byrnes Communications Inc.. Powered by Aiir.