CSA News Coverage - Post Budget Release
This interview was previously seen on the CBC news as CSA responded to the provincial budget release in early 2024. You can watch CSA President, Azi Afousi, respond in the link below.
16 mars 2022
Les collèges de l'Ontario pourraient faire la grève vendredi. Voici ce que cela signifie
La College Student Alliance (CSA) demande à la province d'intervenir maintenant avant une éventuelle grève.
"Les étudiants devraient être la priorité au cours de ce processus. La CSA encourage les professeurs des collèges et les collèges eux-mêmes à revenir à la table et à négocier pour éviter une grève", a déclaré Eli Ridder, président de la CSA dans une déclaration envoyée par courrier électronique au Star mardi.
16 mars 2022
Les collèges de l'Ontario pourraient faire la grève vendredi. Voici ce que cela signifie
La College Student Alliance (CSA) demande à la province d'intervenir maintenant avant une éventuelle grève.
"Les étudiants devraient être la priorité au cours de ce processus. La CSA encourage les professeurs des collèges et les collèges eux-mêmes à revenir à la table et à négocier pour éviter une grève", a déclaré Eli Ridder, président de la CSA dans une déclaration envoyée par courrier électronique au Star mardi.
16 mars 2022
Les collèges de l'Ontario pourraient faire la grève vendredi. Voici ce que cela signifie
La College Student Alliance (CSA) demande à la province d'intervenir maintenant avant une éventuelle grève.
"Les étudiants devraient être la priorité au cours de ce processus. La CSA encourage les professeurs des collèges et les collèges eux-mêmes à revenir à la table et à négocier pour éviter une grève", a déclaré Eli Ridder, président de la CSA dans une déclaration envoyée par courrier électronique au Star mardi.
16 mars 2022
Les collèges de l'Ontario pourraient faire la grève vendredi. Voici ce que cela signifie
La College Student Alliance (CSA) demande à la province d'intervenir maintenant avant une éventuelle grève.
"Les étudiants devraient être la priorité au cours de ce processus. La CSA encourage les professeurs des collèges et les collèges eux-mêmes à revenir à la table et à négocier pour éviter une grève", a déclaré Eli Ridder, président de la CSA dans une déclaration envoyée par courrier électronique au Star mardi.
16 mars 2022
Les collèges de l'Ontario pourraient faire la grève vendredi. Voici ce que cela signifie
La College Student Alliance (CSA) demande à la province d'intervenir maintenant avant une éventuelle grève.
"Les étudiants devraient être la priorité au cours de ce processus. La CSA encourage les professeurs des collèges et les collèges eux-mêmes à revenir à la table et à négocier pour éviter une grève", a déclaré Eli Ridder, président de la CSA dans une déclaration envoyée par courrier électronique au Star mardi.
16 mars 2022
Les collèges de l'Ontario pourraient faire la grève vendredi. Voici ce que cela signifie
La College Student Alliance (CSA) demande à la province d'intervenir maintenant avant une éventuelle grève.
"Les étudiants devraient être la priorité au cours de ce processus. La CSA encourage les professeurs des collèges et les collèges eux-mêmes à revenir à la table et à négocier pour éviter une grève", a déclaré Eli Ridder, président de la CSA dans une déclaration envoyée par courrier électronique au Star mardi.
April 12, 2022
'Missed opportunity': Budget 2022 gets lukewarm reviews from student grou
This week CSA's General Manager and Director of Advocacy spoke with CTV News and 580 CFRA Ottawa at Work with Leslie Roberts about the mixed reaction to the Federal Government's recent budget. While CSA welcomes some of the broader budget elements related to life affordability, such as housing and dental care, we are disappointed in the lack of direct measures related to post-secondary education affordability, workforce entry, international students, and mental health.
To read the whole article click here.
March 17, 2022
Humber student leaders monitor college labour impasse
Student leaders are speaking up as the threat of an Ontario college faculty strike grows.
Faculty, counsellors and librarians represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union are set to strike on Friday if the College Employer Council, which represents the colleges, do not enter into arbitration.
“The college faculty has said they would like to do arbitration and they’re willing to return to the negotiating table,” said Jason Baryluk, College Student Alliance, general manager.
March 17, 2022
Confederation College student union says continued job action puts students' futures on the line
The student union also joined the College Student Alliance in issuing an open letter to Ontario's Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop, on behalf of all Ontario's students.
On Tuesday, the alliance said providing immediate stability to the college sector is paramount for Ontario's college students, and adds college students are vital to the province's economic recovery.
"[The College Student Alliance] believes everyone has the right to fair compensation for work provided and those working conditions should be fair and equitable," the letter reads.
March 17, 2022
College bargaining teams back at the table Thursday
After the strike deadline was imposed, the College Student Alliance called on the government to act to avoid a strike, writing, "the pandemic has been incredibly hard on college students, from impacting their finances to their mental health, a return to stability and normalcy is critical."
March 17, 2022
Announcement of Strike Deadline
Student groups support our position that binding interest arbitration can bring an immediate end to this impasse. The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario wrote that “the CEC has continuously refused binding arbitration, demonstrating to workers and students that the CEC only has their own interests at heart – not the interests of instructors, professors, counsellors, librarians, and especially not students”. As well, the College Student Alliance, “the only college student-focused advocacy group in Ontario”, has announced that “Interest Arbitration is the best solution that puts college students first”.
March 16, 2022
Ontario colleges could strike on Friday. Here's what that means
The College Student Alliance (CSA) is calling on the province to step in now ahead of a possible strike.
"Students should be the priority during this process. CSA encourages college faculty and the colleges themselves to come back to the table and negotiate to avoid a strike," said Eli Ridder, President of the CSA in an emailed statement to the Star on Tuesday.
March 16, 2022
Ontario colleges could strike on Friday. Here's what that means
The College Student Alliance, a non-profit advocating for college students in Ontario, welcomed both sides returning to the bargaining table.
"Ontario's college students have endured significant hardship throughout the pandemic already and both sides have a responsibility to provide stability to them," the organization wrote in a tweet.
March 16, 2022
Ontario colleges and staff return to bargaining table as strike looms
The College Student Alliance, a non-profit advocating for college students in Ontario, welcomed both sides returning to the bargaining table.
“Ontario’s college students have endured significant hardship throughout the pandemic already and both sides have a responsibility to provide stability to them,” the organization wrote in a tweet.
March 15, 2022
Mask on or mask off? Northern Ontario schools take different approach to mask mandates
Northern College's announcement came as a bit of a surprise for Jason Baryluk, the interim general manager of the College Student Alliance, a province-wide group representing Ontario's college students.
"It's an interesting move," Baryluk said. "The administration is within their power to do this, certainly. But we need to do the right thing here."
"And I think masking is a low-cost, easy mitigation strategy for us to keep each other safe, especially if we're having a full return to campus."
14 mars 2022
Les étudiants du postsecondaire s'inquiètent de leur futur emploi après l'obtention de leur diplôme
Les diplômés postsecondaires à la recherche d'un emploi dans leur domaine ont du mal à trouver un emploi à l'ère de la pandémie de COVID-19, qui est devenue une période encore plus éprouvante.
"Si vous étiez un jeune diplômé, si j'étais un jeune diplômé, je serais très préoccupé non seulement par mes perspectives d'emploi, mais aussi par la question de savoir si, même si j'obtiens un emploi, serai-je capable de subvenir à mes besoins?" a déclaré Jason Baryluk, directeur général de la College Student Alliance.
8 mars 2022
Les étudiants universitaires et collégiaux demandent des produits menstruels gratuits sur le campus
Dans le but de mettre fin à la «pauvreté menstruelle», les étudiants demandent à la province d'exiger que les collèges et les universités fournissent des produits menstruels gratuits sur tout le campus – et que le gouvernement paie la facture si les écoles ne peuvent pas couvrir les coûts.
Des représentants de l'Alliance des étudiants du premier cycle de l'Ontario et de l'Alliance des étudiants du Collège étaient également présents pour montrer leur soutien. Avec l'ensemble des 44 syndicats d'étudiants postsecondaires de l'Ontario et d'autres, ils ont écrit une lettre au gouvernement provincial appelant à une « action immédiate » sur cette question.
8 mars 2022
Des groupes d'étudiants et de jeunes demandent des produits menstruels gratuits sur les campus postsecondaires
Les syndicats étudiants et les groupes de défense des jeunes de tout l'Ontario demandent au gouvernement provincial de veiller à ce que des produits menstruels gratuits soient disponibles sur tous les campus postsecondaires.
L'initiative vise à lutter contre l'inégalité menstruelle et la pauvreté menstruelle.
8 mars 2022
Le Collectif des jeunes demande à l'Ontario d'exiger des produits menstruels gratuits sur le campus
Le cabinet de la jeunesse et le commissaire ont déclaré que les initiatives de la province devraient également répondre « aux besoins des hommes transgenres et des personnes de genre non binaires ».
"Lorsque nous pensons au nombre de personnes qui sont touchées par cela, nous devons également prendre en compte les hommes trans, non binaires et les personnes d'identités de genre diverses", a déclaré Gabi Hentschke, directrice de College Student Alliance. "Mais jusqu'à présent, les données largement disponibles ne tiennent pas encore compte de ces identités."
12 décembre 2021
Les professeurs des collèges de l'Ontario votent en faveur de l'action syndicale
" Les membres du corps professoral des collèges de tout l'Ontario, y compris le Collège Conestoga, ont voté en faveur de l'action syndicale. Le SEFPO/SEFPO, le syndicat représentant le corps professoral, a déclaré que 59 % des membres qui ont voté lors d'un vote de grève samedi ont appelé à des mesures liées aux revendications contractuelles.
Ils faisaient partie de l'Ontario College Faculty, qui représente 15 000 professeurs, conseillers, bibliothécaires et instructeurs. Jason Baryluk, directeur du plaidoyer à la College Student Alliance, a déclaré que le corps professoral n'avait pas l'intention de faire la grève, mais plutôt de commencer à agir avec une campagne du zèle. »
12 décembre 2021
GM participe à la tournée médiatique de CBC pour discuter de la négociation
Au cours de la fin de semaine dernière, le directeur général et directeur de la défense des intérêts de l'ASC, Jason Baryluk, a participé à une série d'entrevues avec les médias de CBC Radio à travers l'Ontario pour discuter de la situation actuelle entre le corps professoral du SEFPO et le College Employers Council (CEC). En plus d'expliquer une partie du contexte entourant la situation actuelle, Jason a souligné qu'il était essentiel que si la Faculté du SEFPO et le CEC ne peuvent pas négocier, ils doivent revenir à la table et s'engager dans un arbitrage d'intérêt juste et neutre qui assurerait la stabilité pour les étudiants des collèges qui ont ont déjà fait face à de sérieux défis tout au long de la pandémie.
Pour lire un extrait des interviews cliquez ici .
12 décembre 2021
Les professeurs des collèges de l'Ontario votent en faveur de l'action syndicale
" Les membres du corps professoral des collèges de tout l'Ontario, y compris le Collège Conestoga, ont voté en faveur de l'action syndicale. Le SEFPO/SEFPO, le syndicat représentant le corps professoral, a déclaré que 59 % des membres qui ont voté lors d'un vote de grève samedi ont appelé à des mesures liées aux revendications contractuelles.
Ils faisaient partie de l'Ontario College Faculty, qui représente 15 000 professeurs, conseillers, bibliothécaires et instructeurs. Jason Baryluk, directeur du plaidoyer à la College Student Alliance, a déclaré que le corps professoral n'avait pas l'intention de faire la grève, mais plutôt de commencer à agir avec une campagne du zèle. »
10 décembre 2021
IGNITE interviewe Jason Baryluk, le directeur de la défense des intérêts à College Student Alliance
"Peut-être avez-vous vu quelque chose dans les nouvelles, lu un article ou avez-vous commencé à entendre des rumeurs à l'école au sujet d'une éventuelle grève des professeurs des collèges. Nous voulons nous assurer que vous disposez d'informations à jour et exactes concernant le processus de négociation en cours entre le Conseil des employeurs des collèges et le Syndicat des employeurs de la fonction publique de l'Ontario. C'est pourquoi nous nous sommes entretenus avec Jason Baryluk, le directeur de la défense des droits à la College Student Alliance, pour discuter de la situation et expliquer ce qui se passe réellement afin que VOUS puissiez rester informés.
22 octobre 2021
Queen's Park prend des mesures pour permettre aux collèges de l'Ontario d'étendre leurs programmes menant à un grade
« Les dirigeants des collèges de l'Ontario ont applaudi les mesures proposées par le gouvernement provincial pour leur permettre d'élargir les programmes de délivrance de diplômes, mais une organisation étudiante affirme que l'abordabilité, le logement et la santé mentale ont encore besoin d'un soutien considérablement accru.
15 octobre 2021
Le discours du Trône de l'Ontario est muet sur l'éducation postsecondaire
« Pour les campus postsecondaires de l'Ontario, le récent discours du Trône prononcé par le gouvernement progressiste-conservateur du premier ministre Doug Ford pour ouvrir la nouvelle session de l'Assemblée législative a offert des sons de silence.
13 avril 2021
IGNITE de Humber se joint à l'Alliance des étudiants du Collège
" Le gouvernement étudiant de Humber, IGNITE, a rejoint la College Student Alliance (CSA) le 1er avril.
L'ASC est un organisme sans but lucratif qui défend les intérêts des étudiants de niveau postsecondaire au niveau provincial. Les syndicats étudiants ne sont pas autorisés à s'adresser au gouvernement provincial par eux-mêmes, donc CSA rencontre les syndicats étudiants individuels et le gouvernement pour permettre à leurs voix d'être entendues. ”
1 février 2021
Les étudiants demandent le gel des paiements du RAFEO alors que la pandémie fait rage
« Les étudiants actuels et les récents diplômés de l'Ontario sont l'avenir de l'économie. Nous serons responsables d'aider à reconstruire l'Ontario lorsque la pandémie de COVID-19 sera terminée », a déclaré la présidente de la College Student Alliance, Tori Arnett, lors de la conférence de presse. ont besoin d'aide pour survivre à cette période des plus éprouvantes — nous ne pouvons pas y arriver seuls. Nos familles ne pourront pas s'en sortir sans l'aide du gouvernement provincial.
22 janvier 2021
L'ASC participe à une conférence de presse sur la nécessité d'un moratoire du RAFEO
Aujourd'hui, la présidente de la CSA, Tori Arnett, s'est jointe au député provincial Chris Glover, à Spadina-Fort York et aux intervenants du postsecondaire lors d'une conférence de presse demandant au gouvernement de l'Ontario d'arrêter le remboursement de la dette du RAFEO pendant la pandémie.
September 10, 2020
National Observer: How student unions are helping campus life go digital
The College Student Alliance has submitted recommendations for digital learning standards to the provincial government, said Jason Baryluk, director of advocacy and member engagement. “Students are in a very precarious situation and that kind of financial insecurity reverberates through to the rest of the institution,” he said.
September 04, 2020
Standard-Freeholder: SLC student union president lobbies for more assistance to students
The president of St. Lawrence College’s Cornwall campus student union recently called on the provincial government to provide $1,000 to full-time post-secondary students and $500 for part-time students. Tori Arnett, who is also president of the College Student Alliance, said the request comes after what she said were tough times for students. “Students are struggling right now,” said Arnett. “With the pandemic, OSAP funds are being cut, it’s ridiculous. Students need help and the government needs to understand this — they need to step up.
September 01, 2020
St. Catharines Standard: College and university students want $1,000 in tuition relief to offset the impact of COVID-19
The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, along with the Canadian Federation of Students and the College Student Alliance are asking that part-time students also receive a rebate of $500, and that federal pandemic-related emergency benefits for students not be used to calculate provincial student loan amounts.
September 18, 2018
The Dialog: No room for compromise
Post-secondary institutions enable opportunities for thought and discussion, diversifying the academic experience outside of the classroom. However, the mandated introduction of a free speech policy in Ontario’s post-secondary system omitted those directly affected by this policy—post-secondary students. Student leaders, specifically members of on-campus student associations, must be meaningfully involved throughout the policy development process and in the subsequent conversations regarding recommendations to improve the policies.
June 04, 2018
CTV Toronto: ‘We are not apathetic’: 3.5 million voters in the Ontario election are under 25
According to the most recent census, there are over 3.5 million Ontario residents – and potential voters --between the ages of 18 and 25. This age group, once called apathetic, is now a driving force in politics. As seen in the 2015 federal elections, where 57.1 per cent of youth showed up to the polls, young people can make or break a campaign. This surge in political participation was an 18.3 percentage point increase from the 2011 federal elections.
April 13, 2018
The Dialog: Budget doesn’t improve on OSAP: student group
Budget 2018, does have language to reduce the contributions that spouses and parents of students are expected to make towards tuition. While not yet clear on details, the government said the change will allow for students from middle‐income families to more easily qualify for OSAP grants and loans. Abdullah Mushtaq, director of advocacy for the College Student Alliance (CSA), said that what was announced for OSAP in the 2018 budget, “is basically what was already said in 2016 and 2017” and that the new piece is how parental and spousal income is going to be less of a factor.
April 06, 2018
Ontario Newsroom: Ontario Supporting Success of College Students, Faculty and Staff
The College Task Force will develop a forward-looking plan that supports the delivery of high-quality career-focused postsecondary education and training through Ontario's publicly assisted colleges. College Student Alliance has two representatives on the Task Force: Abdullah Mushtaq and Aimee Calma.
March 21, 2018
The Gazette: Ontario government to invest $2.1 billion in mental health
According to Tulk, OUSA partnered with the College Student Alliance, Colleges Ontario and Council of Ontario Universities to release a joint publication outlining mental health issues and recommendations. Published last November, Tulk said a number of the recommendations were implemented in the Ontario government’s mental health investment plans. For example, Ontario will be looking into mental health transition programming for high school students going on to post-secondary education. Further, the government will ensure that students continue to have support available in university.
March 19, 2018
The Dialog: Help wanted: find your summer job
For students, finding that particular job and then actually getting it are two different challenges. Networking helps in both aspects. Some reports estimate anywhere between 60 and 80 per cent of all summer jobs are on the hidden market, meaning they’re never advertised. Turning to those around you, whether it’s friends or even past co-workers, is always a solid plan. “Keeping those connections warm, reaching out if you know someone who worked for the field that you might like, just to reach out and say “Hi” and see what’s going on,” said Aimee Calma, president of the College Student Alliance. If reaching out feels a little awkward, Calma said it’s important to reframe how you see you networking.
January 23, 2018
CBC News: Confederation College celebrates $59K contribution to United Way
"At Confederation College it's clear we have big hearts and believe in building a positive community culture," said Jodi Alfonso, President of the Student Union. She also stated that this year's partnership between the student union and Confederation College has earned them provincial recognition from the College Student Alliance (CSA) as they were given the Landmark Award.
December 12, 2017
The Globe and Mail: Ten per cent of Ontario college students withdraw from semester following strike
"The withdraw numbers released today are proof this option was necessary for thousands of students. Students didn't sign up for an extended semester, or condensed courses," said Emmaline Scharbach, the communications manager for the College Student Alliance.
December 12, 2017
Toronto Star: Ten per cent of college students drop out after teachers’ strike
Ten per cent of full-time college students — or about 25,700 — have dropped out rather than return to class following a lengthy strike by their teachers. And even though “the vast majority … chose to stay and finish the semester,” post-secondary Minister Deb Matthews said for those “who did decide to withdraw, we hope you return to college.
November 29, 2017
The Cord: Student groups create collaborative report to enhance student mental health
A collaborative report, In It Together: Taking Action on Student Mental Health, was recently released as a call to the Province for greater action regarding the challenges and difficulties pertaining to mental health which continues to increase among students in Ontario.
November 28, 2017
The Globe and Mail: Ontario college strike could cost some students places in programs
College students could lose their entire academic year and not get back into the programs in which they are currently enrolled if they drop courses as a result of the five-week strike in Ontario this fall, students across the province are being told by their colleges.
November 24, 2017
Toronto Star: College students missing crucial entrance exams, apprenticeships dates because of strike, critics say
From career entrance exams to required hands-on training, Ontario college students are left struggling to catch up after a five-week strike by faculty that has forced semesters to be extended to make up for lost time.
November 23, 2017
City News: Ottawa offers options to international students after college strike
Ontario’s college students may be back in the classrooms after a record breaking five-week strike but, for some, there’s still some uncertainty over their future. An international student attending Humber College told CityNews the school’s latest email was putting her in a difficult position. Part of that email she shared, read “If you withdraw, we recommend that you leave Canada.”
November 22, 2017
The Dialog: Ontario post-secondary students need free mental health care: report
A new report is pushing the Ontario government to provide free mental health care for post-secondary students.
The In It Together report which was supported by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Colleges Ontario, Council of Ontario Universities, and the College Student Alliance (CSA) makes 26 recommendations including that the province formally recognize post-secondary students as a priority group, separate from children, youth and adults.“We need to have the government recognize post-secondary students as their own population,” said Ariana Chasse, vice-president of the CSA.
November 20, 2017
CP24: Students who withdraw from college due to strike will get full tuition refund: province
The province has announced that full-time Ontario college students who decide to withdraw from school as a result of the five-week faculty strike will be given a full tuition refund. The announcement was made by the Ontario government on Monday morning.
November 20, 2017
CBC News: Conestoga College students to be back in class Tuesday morning
Conestoga College students will be back in the classroom Tuesday morning after the provincial government passed back-to-work legislation Sunday to end a five-week faculty strike. The government introduced the bill Friday after faculty rejected the employer's last offer by 86 per cent.
November 20, 2017
The Globe and Mail: Back-to-work bill passes, sending Ontario college faculty back to class Tuesday
College students in Ontario will head back to class on Tuesday after the provincial government passed back-to-work legislation ending a five-week-long strike by professors. The law, which came into force on Sunday after rare weekend sittings of the legislature, marks the first time in the 50-year-history of the province's colleges that striking faculty have been forced back to work. The bill passed third reading in a 39-18 vote, supported by the Liberals and Tories and opposed by the New Democrats.
November 19, 2017
Macleans: Bill to end five-week ontario college strike passes
Ontario legislated college faculty back to work on Sunday, ending a five-week strike and paving the way for students to return to class on Tuesday. Colleges are extending their semesters so students don’t lose their terms, but trying to condense five missed weeks into roughly two extra ones will be very stressful, student advocates say.
“It’s going to be a very busy rest of the semester for students,” said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance. “They have indicated to us that they are very frustrated.”
November 19, 2017
Toronto Star: College students back in class Tuesday after MPPs order end strike
After three days of delays, Liberal government and Progressive Conservative MPPs joined forces Sunday to order 12,000 striking college teachers — and their students — back to class over NDP objections. Faculty report for work Monday and 500,000 students follow Tuesday to jump-start a semester stalled five weeks ago by what became the longest college strike in Ontario history.
November 19, 2017
CTV News: Back-to-work legislation ends five-week Ontario college strike
Ontario legislated college faculty back to work on Sunday, ending a five-week strike and paving the way for students to return to class on Tuesday. Colleges are extending their semesters so students don't lose their terms, but trying to condense five missed weeks into roughly two extra ones will be very stressful, student advocates say.
"It's going to be a very busy rest of the semester for students," said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance. "They have indicated to us that they are very frustrated."
November 19, 2017
The Dialog: College faculty strike ends as back to work legislation passes
Legislation to force Ontario college faculty back into their classrooms passed today, with a vote of 39-18, ending the strike that began on Oct. 16. The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Labour Dispute Resolution Act was introduced by the government on Nov. 16 after talks between the bargaining teams of the faculty and colleges did not produce a deal. The legislation prohibits a continuation of the strike or an employer lockout while the two sides go through binding arbitration.
November 17, 2017
Renfrew Today: College Student Alliance Weighs In on Strike After NDP Blocks Back To Work Legislation
College students won’t be back in classrooms as soon as they may have hoped. After the College Employer Council imposed a forced vote on the latest contract offer, 86 per cent of voters rejected the contract, and 95 per cent of those registered, came out to cast a ballot. President of the College Student Alliance, Joel Willett, says stories keep piling in about students who won’t be returning after the break, or students facing roadblocks due to the strike.
November 10, 2017
The Dialog: Government orders colleges to create hardship fund for students
This announcement comes a day after a meeting with the College Student Alliance (CSA), who represents approximately 97,000 college students in Ontario at 13 different student associations. “We understand that this isn’t going to be a solution that will fix all the problems that this strike has caused and we are still encouraging the college employer council and OPSEU to get back to the table, agree to binding arbitration, and get a deal done this weekend,” said CSA.
November 10, 2017
CP24: Fund to be set up for students facing ‘financial hardship’ during college strike
On Thursday, president of the College Student Alliance Joel Willet told CP24 that students are becoming increasingly anxious about how they will complete this semester. “Everybody did say we are expecting to be out three weeks roughly and then we should expect a settlement, but as this continues to drag on with only really one major issue on the table, it’s become just overwhelming for students,” Willet said.
November 10, 2017
Ottawa Citizen: Money that colleges save during the faculty strike will go to students hurt by dispute, says Ontario minister
Ontario colleges will have to put all the money they are saving during the faculty strike into a fund to help students who are being hurt by it, says Deb Matthews, the minister for Advanced Education and Skills Development.
November 10, 2017
Nugget.ca: 'Students have been in the middle of this strike for too long and it's just not fair'
Ontario colleges are being required to establish a dedicated fund with all savings from the strike to support students who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the job action, Deb Matthews, minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, announced today.
November 01, 2017
National Post: Talks to resume Thursday in Ontario college strike, minister says: 'Students should be back in the classroom'
Several hundred students gathered at the Ontario legislature Wednesday to urge the parties to get back to the table. But Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance, which organized the demonstration, said their message shifted when they discovered talks will resume.
“Now the pressure is on to get a deal done before the middle of next week,” he said. “If they don’t have a deal in place by the middle of next week then we would … demand that an arbitrator be brought in to make a deal happen.”
October 30, 2017
MSN: Students worry as Ontario college strike hits third week
College students are now worried about the possibility of losing their semester as a strike by their teachers enters its third week. With the job action dragging on, they are also worried that in order to save the school year, it could instead be extended — adding to their expenses and interfering with job plans.
October 30, 2017
610 CKTB: College students plan rally as faculty strike drags on
As the college teacher's strike enters week three with no end in sight, a group representing students will rally this week at Queen's Park. The College Student Alliance have a rally planned for Wednesday afternoon outside the legislature to put pressure on the province to kickstart contract talks.
October 29, 2017
Toronto Star: Students worry as Ontario college strike hits third week
College students are now worried about the possibility of losing their semester as a strike by their teachers enters its third week. With the job action dragging on, they are also worried that in order to save the school year, it could instead be extended — adding to their expenses and interfering with job plans. A protest and rally are planned for Wednesday at Queen’s Park.
October 26, 2017
The Record: College faculty strike barrels toward third week
The College Student Alliance, which represents student unions at 16 colleges, can see that too. It's planning a rally at Queen's Park next Wednesday at 1 p.m. Conestoga Students Inc. is posting sign-up lists for the rally and will provide buses to take frustrated students into Toronto to take part. Conestoga has 14,000 full-time students and 32,000 in continuing education. There could be a lot of interest in attending the rally.
October 26, 2017
Inside Toronto: Striking Centennial College staff say full-time status a key issue
To Ontario college students, the strike by unionized faculty threatens their immediate future. To many college faculty, life is a hamster wheel of multiple contracts, as they pursue full-time status offered to them less and less.“Even 10 years ago, it was a very different story,” Ryan Mercer said on Monday, as picketers watched entrances to Centennial College’s Progress Campus in Scarborough.
October 26, 2017
New Hamburg Independent: College faculty strike barrels toward third week
The College Student Alliance, which represents student unions at 16 colleges, can see that too. It's planning a rally at Queen's Park next Wednesday at 1 p.m. Conestoga Students Inc. is posting sign-up lists for the rally and will provide buses to take frustrated students into Toronto to take part. Conestoga has 14,000 full-time students and 32,000 in continuing education. There could be a lot of interest in attending the rally.
October 24, 2017
570 News: Week 2 of faculty strike: Conestoga students planning rally
Students at Conestoga College plan to rally at Queen’s Park next Wednesday. The Conestoga [Students Inc. and} College Student Alliance [are] organizing the event on November 1st and are asking students from Ontario’s other colleges to join them.
October 21, 2017
Peterborough Examiner: Ontario community college teachers strike frustrates students at Fleming College in Peterborough
The College Student Alliance (CSA) has stepped in demanding both sides get back to the table. The alliance advocates on behalf on Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Joel Willett, president of CSA, said students want to know that conversations are happening and that the parties aren't going to just walk away if they don't like a proposal put forward.
October 17, 2017
Global News: Fleming College president says students shouldn’t be anxious about faculty strike
The lack of available counsellors is a cause for concern for the president of Fleming’s student council. “Students have now lost the opportunity to have one-on-one counselling when they need it, especially when they’re in crisis,” said Joel Willett.
October 17, 2017
The Record: Ontario colleges preparing for a long strike
Faculty members — including full-time professors, instructors who teach anywhere from seven to 12 hours a week, counsellors and librarians — walked off the job first thing Monday, after the bargaining team for the province’s 24 public colleges rejected the union’s final offer.
October 17, 2017
Cambridge Times: Ontario colleges preparing for a long strike
For students, the job action has already been “absolutely confusing … what the strike means to students varies from one campus to another and depends on the program, said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance.
October 17, 2017
Brampton Guardian: Ontario colleges preparing for a long strike
Ontario colleges are bracing for a “fairly protracted strike” after 12,000 faculty hit the picket lines Monday despite last-ditch proposals that still saw the two sides far apart on key issues.
October 17, 2017
UMSL Spaces: Ontario colleges preparing for a long strike
Ontario colleges are bracing for a “fairly protracted strike” after 12,000 faculty hit the picket lines Monday despite last-ditch proposals that still saw the two sides far apart on key issues.
October 17, 2017
Guelph Mercury: Ontario colleges prepare for a long strike
For students, the job action has already been “absolutely confusing … what the strike means to students varies from one campus to another and depends on the program, said Joel Willett, president of the College Student Alliance.
October 16, 2017
Northern Life: Student group frustrated by college faculty strike
A student group says it's “frustrated” by the strike by faculty members at Ontario's 24 community colleges.
The 12,000 faculty members, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), went on strike at midnight Monday after a deal could not be reached with the College Employers Council (CEC).
October 16, 2017
Inside Brockville: College faculty on picket line at St. Lawrence College Monday morning
In an Oct. 15 release from the College Student Alliance, president Joel Willett commented, “Lost class time, especially a lost semester, can result in delayed graduation. Whether a student is in their first semester or their last, they’re going to feel the severity of this strike.”
October 16, 2017
Bay Today: College students at risk in faculty strike
Members of the College Student Alliance (CSA) and students across Ontario are frustrated a collective agreement has not been reached between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employers Council (CEC), resulting in full-time college faculty striking as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16.
October 16, 2017
The Dialog: Day one of the Ontario college faculty strike
“Lost class time, especially a lost semester, can result in delayed graduation,” said Joel Willett, the president of the CSA in a statement. “Whether a student is in their first semester or their last, they’re going to feel the severity of this strike.”
October 16, 2017
Timmins Today: College students at risk in faculty strike says College Student Alliance
Members of the College Student Alliance (CSA) and students across Ontario are frustrated a collective agreement has not been reached between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employers Council (CEC), resulting in full-time college faculty striking as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16.
October 13, 2017
The Globe and Mail: Locked in labour dispute, Ontario colleges, union risk Monday instructor strike
Hundreds of thousands of college students across Ontario could be shut out of their classrooms Monday morning if their schools and the union representing instructors do not hammer out a deal this weekend to avoid a strike.