The union representing striking faculty at Fanshawe College says the College Employer Council and administration is saving millions of dollars that should be re-directed to the students.
OPSEU Local 110 is endorsing two student-launched petitions as a province-wide strike enters its fourth day, with no end in sight.
“We don’t have any talks. We don’t have an indication that they’re willing to meet with us,” said Local 110 president Daryl Bedford.
“We’re putting out the message that we’re ready to meet any time. So is this the College Employer Council just sitting back, collecting all the money, and letting us sit and wait?”
One petition calls for students to be reimbursed tuition for each day of the strike while the other calls for the College Employer Council and senior administration to donate their daily salaries during the strike to a student bursary.
Speaking on the Craig Needles Show on Thursday morning, Bedford added that he’s pleased to see students getting involved.
“I welcome it. I think students should speak out. They should talk about the issues they’re concerned about. They have a role to play in this system.”
Over 12,000 staff at Ontario’s 24 colleges are walking the picket lines with over half a million students affected by the strike.