Most importantly, CSA would like to thank each and every student who joined us today at our #StudentsFirst Rally at Queen's Park. Collectively, Ontario college students voiced frustrations, concerns, and their desire to get back in the classroom.
Our message was heard loud and clear: Immediately before our rally was scheduled to begin, the College Employer Council (CEC) released a statement saying they are ready to get back to the table. This prompted the Ministry of Labour's appointed mediator to invite both CEC and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) to resume negotiations tomorrow, Nov. 2.
Students - we cannot stop now. Let's build on today's momentum and pressure OPSEU and CEC to reach an agreement immediately. Just because both parties are returning to the negotiating table, there is no guarantee a deal will be made by early next week.
If students are not back in their classrooms by Wednesday, Nov. 8, CSA is calling on OPSEU and CEC to appoint an arbitrator or arbitration board to ensure students don't lose their semester.
Watch some footage from today's rally on our Periscope page.
Once again, students, we thank you. Thanks to our guest speakers: Sault College student Jonathan Nolan; Hon. Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, and Minister Responsible for Digital Government; MPP Lorne Coe, PC critic for Post-Secondary Education, and a member of the Standing Committee on Social Policy; MPP Peggy Sattler, NDP critic for Advanced Education and Skills Development, Education and Women's Issues; and Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario.
Stay tuned for more footage from the rally! At this time, find more videos and photos on our Twitter feed.
