CREDIT: MELISSA NOVACASKA
Fanshawe Student Union president Morganna Sampson was one of the eight student association presidents to sign the open letter.

On Oct. 20, eight student association presidents including the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) president Morganna Sampson, signed an open letter that is calling for the provincial government to continue encouraging both the Ontario Public Service Employee Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council (Council) in getting back the bargaining table.

According to the letter, over 500, 000 students are across 24 Ontario Colleges are not able to complete their education due to the strike.

“Every day of class missed affects our students and their ability to learn, and we are urging the Ontario government to step in and help our students return to the classroom,” the letter said.

Sampson expressed her thoughts on the reason behind the letter and for signing it.

“I believe the government of Ontario needs to take a leadership role in solving this strike immediately,” Sampson said. “Students are being caught in the crossfire of a labour dispute and a resolution needs to happen now so they can get back to class.”

Jodi Afonso, president of the Confederation College Student Union explained that the student association presidents began communicating to each other early last week regarding putting forward the open letter to provincial government officials.

“Because I come from a human resource management background, I do respect the fact that the government cannot step in until a certain time, I understand that, but it doesn't stop us from still having talks and potentially coming up with a plan to at least get [OPSEU and Council] back to the table,” Afonso said.

Samantha Hoover, president of the Mohawk Student's Association shared similar sentiments in the results of the strike and why the presidents want this meeting to happen.

“We are disappointed that there hadn't been a settlement reached by the [strike] deadline last Monday. Our stance with this letter is neutral between both parties, we are not taking any sides. We strongly encourage the OPSEU and Council to come to a fair settlement as soon as possible for the betterment of our students' education,” Hoover said.

In the open letter, the student association presidents pointed out the three primary concerns raised by college students across Ontario regarding the strike. The first concern is that students want to return to classrooms to receive the education that they originally paid for. Secondly, college students are concerned for their quality of education since less course material may be covered. Lastly, students are wondering if their semester will be extended or compressed as a result of the strike, which can cause financial hardships and stress. 

“I recognize that there are so many concerned students out there, as did the other student associations, and that's why we came together to write this letter to get the ball rolling and get everyone back into classes faster,” Sampson said.

New Democratic Party (NDP) MPP for London West and Advanced Education and Skills Development critic, Peggy Sattler and NDP MPP for Welland and Labour, Fairness and Work critic, Cindy Forster (who was also a recipient of the student association presidents' letter) collaborated to create a letter of their own, addressed to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, in supporting the student association presidents' request.

The Oct. 20 letter also stressed that while the Liberals have been in office for the past 15 years, college classes have become larger, with more being taught by part-time or contract faculty.

Part-time and contract faculty face a number of difficulties including coping with increased class sizes, while not having job security, nor benefits. This in turn, can have an impact on students.

The letter also criticized Wynne and her party, stating the “Liberal government created the conditions for this labour dispute to occur.”

The NDP also want change and see the strike be resolved as soon as possible.

“New Democrats back the call of eight student associations in urging your government to take immediate steps to bring both sides back to the bargaining table so that a settlement that ensures fairness for faculty and students can be reached.

We urge you to act immediately,” the joint letter said.

The eight student association presidents are requesting to meet with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education and Skills Development Deb Matthews, Chair of the Council's bargaining team Sonia Del Missier and Chair of the OPSEU bargaining team JP Hornick on Oct 26. The student association presidents want to meet with these individuals at Queen's Park in Toronto in order to help continue the conversation regarding negotiations.

Students can read the open letter at FSU.ca/openletter.