March 8, 2006

Quality message is getting out there

      The strike by Ontario college faculty is all about quality, and the people of Ontario know it.

      A quick survey of newspaper stories from the first two days of the strike shows that the strikers’ message is definitely being heard. Almost all news stories mention union demands for smaller classes and more faculty time for students. About two-thirds of stories quote the union before quoting the employer.

      Photos and TV coverage of picket signs reading “Faculty care about quality education” have done a lot to communicate the message.

      Even the employer’s quarter-page ads in daily newspapers give top billing to the union message. The first line of their ads says: “The union says this strike is about quality education.”

      “We couldn’t get better publicity if we paid for it,” said Paddy Musson, chair of OPSEU’s CAAT-Academic Division.

      “We are doing well, but we can’t stop communicating our message about quality education,” Musson said. “Every faculty member has a responsibility to talk face-to-face with students, local MPPs, family members, friends, and neighbours so that they know why we are on the picket line.”

            E-mail addresses for every MPP and every newspaper editor in Ontario are available on the web at http://www.opseu.org/media/index.htm.

      The OPSEU web site now has a new section where faculty members can share stories of the challenges they face in trying to provide quality education to each and every student. Faculty members can fill out the “Talk about Quality!” survey at http://www.opseu.org/caat/caat_ac/2006bargaining/survey.htm .

Management “fact-finding missions” on the rise

      Many OPSEU locals are reporting visits to their picket lines from college human resources people and even some college presidents. These are fact-finding missions aimed at gauging member attitudes toward bargaining, says Paddy Musson, chair of OPSEU’s CAAT-Academic Division.

      “If you are approached by a representative of college management, talk about the weather, or your kids, or the Leafs’ chances of making the playoffs,” said Musson. “Please do not talk about bargaining matters or the strike. Those conversations belong at the bargaining table.

      “Where management attendance on the picket line is a distraction that interferes with safety, picket captains are advised to invite them to leave. If they don’t co-operate, call the police.”

Faculty cheered at students’ rally

      OPSEU college faculty bargaining team chair Ted Montgomery got a big hand from about 200 students at a rally today against post-secondary tuition fee hikes.

      The crowd cheered when Montgomery held up the hand of Dan Roffey of the George Brown College Students’ Association.

      “It’s wrong to use the strike as motivation for their tuition increase,” Montgomery told the rally sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). “College presidents support the tuition increase because it increases their administrative staff and their fat salaries.”

      Montgomery told the students at the rally that college faculty believe in “academic excellence, affordability and accessibility.”

      OPSEU CAAT-Academic Chair Paddy Musson also addressed the rally.  “This strike is to address quality education and we appreciate the support of the students," she said.

      “OPSEU is working toward the time when there will be no tuition at any level of public education,” she added.

      Musson promised to distribute the CFS “Faculty against tuition fee hikes” button at all 24 colleges.

A student writes

      OPSEU Communications received the following e-mail today:

Hello!

      My name is Annissa White, and I am a second year student in my final term at Sheridan College in Brampton.  I am currently in the Social Service Worker program, and I will be graduating (God willing!) in April. 

      I just wanted to send along my letter of support for all the teachers that are going through this hard time.  I agree 100% on the additions you want on your contract.  Smaller classes are the way to go, it makes for a more intimate environment, making the learning experience that much greater.  Teachers today don't have the extra time some students need for questions and help, it's not the way it should be.  People get more out of a smaller learning environment, and teachers aren't as stressed.

      I agree also with what Leah Casselman said in the article on your website from March 6, 2006:

“The sardine can model turns our colleges into diploma factories, where the quantity of graduates is more important than the quality of their education,” she said. “The global economy doesn’t care about the piece of paper. The global economy only cares how well our students have mastered the skills they need. That is why we are fighting for smaller class sizes. That is why we are fighting for more faculty time and attention for each and every student.”

      When classes are smaller, there is more one-on-one time with teachers and students.  Students will get much more out of their education, and be better prepared for the work force.

      I just wanted to say that I completely agree with all of the demands that have been made for the contract the teachers want.  I wish there wasn't a strike right now, because this is affecting my education and I don't have the finances to pay for another semester if I lose this one.         

      But I agree with your decision, and good luck!