FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE March 25, 2006
Keeping students out
of class Monday “inexcusable and incomprehensible,” union
says
TORONTO – Less than a day
after signing an agreement to end an 18-day faculty strike,
management at Ontario’s community colleges is dragging its
heels about getting students back to class.
Several colleges, including
Fanshawe (London), Georgian (Barrie/Midland), and Seneca
(Toronto) are telling students that classes won’t resume
until Tuesday or even Wednesday.
“This is absolutely
inexcusable and totally incomprehensible,” said Ted
Montgomery, chair of the faculty bargaining team of the
Ontario Public Service Employees Union. “College management
announced their Semester Completion Strategies 12 days ago.
It certainly calls into question their competence if, after
12 days of planning, they can’t have the colleges up and
running on Monday.”
Montgomery said not starting
classes on Monday was “a recipe for chaos,” as not all
students will consult their college web site before coming
into class.
“The doors will be open, the
faculty will be there, and some students will show up, but
there won’t be any classes at these colleges,” he said.
“It’s absurd.
“Yesterday Premier McGuinty
said he wanted to see students back in the classroom on
Monday,” said Montgomery. “It’s time college management got
its act together.”
– 30 –
For more information:
Ted Montgomery (416)
578-4255 (cell)
Randy Robinson (416) 788-9134 (cell)
