FREDERICTON, NB — A letter written by the president of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) law society tells the Post-Secondary Education Minister Jody Carr it’s time for him to intervene in a strike that has left classrooms at the university empty for weeks.
A labour dispute between UNB’s faculty and administration has cancelled classes indefinitely. Almost 10,000 students haven’t been back to class in two weeks.
And they’re getting frustrated.
Over 1,100 students have joined a Facebook group, organizing rallies across the province. They’ve planned rallies in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton, all for Friday morning.
“I’m mad that no one’s listening to the students, because we do matter,” said student Lee Thomas.
The letter written to Carr states that students are worried about losing their winter semester.
“We are writing this letter to provide you with the student perspective on the implications of this strike, and to request the assistance of the New Brunswick government in ending this labour dispute,” the letter reads.
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“Students make financial sacrifices to attend university, and will have difficulty arranging for summer employment and housing if classes are extended past the scheduled end date of April 8th 2014.”
Will Russell, the author of the letter, said he’s hoping the province considers what students are suggesting and takes the letter seriously.
“At the very least I would hope that the province is able to work with both sides, have them sit down and talk. They really just seem at an impasse,” he said in an interview after sending the letter off.
Minister Carr stated last week that the province is “monitoring the situation closely,” but said both sides seem to be willing to get back to negotiations.
UNB Students’ Union president, Ben Whitney said that’s not the case.
“Both parties are doing a lot of talking… about talking… both are saying they’re willing to be at the table, but right now we’re only seeing some minor negotiations about the terms of going back to the table and as students we’re saying that’s not acceptable,” he said.
The Students’ Union has started a counter to record how much tuition money is being wasted every day students are not in class. On Friday, it’s supposed to reach $2 million.
“I’m technically an international student, and if this affects my semester, it can also effect my visa, because I can only be up here for a certain amount of time,” said student Rachel Merrill. “So I’ll either be out a semester or I can’t come back.”
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