345 support staff at Conestoga College on strike
Posted Sep 1, 2011 01:11:25 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
President of Conestoga College, John Tibbits, says he’s disappointed with the news of support staff going on strike just days before students are set to return for a new school year.
The 345 support staff at Conestoga College walked off the job this morning after their union failed to come to an agreement on a new contract.
Tibbits says that about 100 management staff will help out where needed and expects a few will be working extra hours. He says they will certainly get by and they, “hope that this won’t go on too long.”
“I wish that the union had taken the last offer to their members,” said Tibbits.
He says their was no vote on the final offer and believes that’s problematic as the employees deserve an opportunity to see and vote on the latest offer.
Sherry Johnston works in the Officer of the Registrar and spoke to 570 News on the picket line this morning. She says they’re fighting for the students.
“We have students here that are coming out with three year college diplomas and degrees. If we have a good job here, I want our students who went to school here to have my job as a good job. The money is not what we’re out here about. We’re about the services that we’re losing.”
Classes will go on as scheduled next week but students should expect long lineups for some services.
