Students Are Ones Who Suffer

Traffic was lined up College Drive this morning as Canadore College Administative staff, fellow Nipissing University faculty and students felt the full impact of the current labour disruption on the hill as they attempted to go to work or class this morning.

Talks between OPSEU Union officials and provincial college barganing representatives had reached an impasse March 6th and at midnight Tuesday March 7th Faculty, Libraians and Councillors set up picket lines province wide.

Canadore College President, Barbara Taylor, released a statement today stating that the strike wasn't necessary and that the contract offer made was a good one. Taylor also addressed her concerns for the labour action puts the students' year in jeopardy.

Taylor's angst was echoed by concerned students who are now grappling with what the a delay in ending the school year really means.

"If they don't get thier strike resolved very soon everything gets off track, so that includes our placement," explains second year Television student, Angela Haddow.

Students in their final semester of either the Television, Journalism, and Radio program have a practical placement in a professional setting to fullfill program requirements and Haddow, who plans to move March 25th for her placement as well as job prospects, says the uncertainty of the strike's length is playing havoc with her future plans as well as living arrangements.

"If they're not back by then I'll have to find a new place because that ones not available anymore and then after that it just messes everything up."

Students struggle all year round to survive on their Ontario Student Assistance Program funds, so not only is the thought of having to juggle living accomodations an issue for students but money is also adding stress on the students.

"As for OSAP, they're not going to be compensating us, so if we have to stay for another month of two, We'll have to money somehow, I'm not sure how we're going to do that either."