Students await college strike vote
By: Jennifer Romano
Courier Staff
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Students and faculty at Centennial College wait for the results of the vote as ballots make their way through the snail mail.
On Feb. 10, 51.25 per cent of Ontario College teachers voted in favor of the province’s contract offer. At Centennial, 55.35 per cent of faculty accepted the final offer and 44.65% rejected it.
However, the threat of a strike is not over yet. Ballots that were sent out to teachers on maternity leave and sick leave are still unaccounted for. The Ontario Labour Relations Board (ORLB), who organized the vote on behalf of College Compensation and Appointments Council, cannot release an official vote until the ballots arrive by mail. Ontario Public Service Employee Union (OPSEU) representative Jacques O’Sullivan said that around 500 ballots went out, but doesn’t expect 500 to be counted.
“The only number that matters is the number of votes received in time,” he said. “Ballots post marked up to February 17 will be counted, anything later will not be considered.”
He believes that the ballots will not likely affect the current result, but won’t rule anything out.
“If the results do change, the next step will include the union asking the managers to come back to the bargaining table. If they refuse then we will set a new strike date,” he said.
According to College Council representative David Scott, the Council will not negotiate any further.
“The strike is a faculty decision and is ultimately in the hands of the union. We’ve been very clear that we are not negotiating any further and will not agree to arbitration,” he said.
While votes float around Canada Post, teachers and students are anxious to find out the state of the semester. Journalism student Lloyd Quansah feels frustrated by the wait.
“The bulk of the semester’s work is starting to pile up,” he said. “It’s very frustrating because I don’t know whether I should start working on my projects now or not.”
Ontario students and faculty will continue to play the waiting game until the votes are accounted for. The OLRB is expected to release an official result on Feb. 24.
