By Ryan Pilon

SIAST students support strike, worry about fees

Nov 12, 2010 | 2:52 PM

SIAST academic and professional services staff are prepared to take action protect their jobs as early as midnight tonight.

The two sides haven't been able to come to an agreement, and now SIAST has begun implementing its contingency plan, which could include a rotating picket line or even a strike.

But where does that leave the students?

paNOW spoke with several students and many are upset over what is happening.

“It’s really upsetting, because we’ve paid our hard-earned money. I mean, many of my classmates have had to take out student loans, and they’re not going to be compensated for this,” one SIAST student said.

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“It’s obvious the higher-ups at SIAST don’t care about us students.”

However, at the same time, many also support their instructors.

“I’m really feeling sorry for the teachers here. I see what they go through. The effort that they put in, and what they’re getting back, it’s not fair,” said one student.

“It’s obviously not very fair for the students, but I don’t think the teachers are getting a fair deal either, so it’s not fair for them either,” said another.

A number of students are saying they've been told that if there is a strike, they will have to continue with their studies on their own.

“The teacher told us today that if they go out, we’re supposed to just come into class and do our studies, pretty well teach ourselves what we need to know,” said a student.

SIAST's Gary Earles has stated he isn't sure what type of job action the unions will be taking, but will be in a legal position to take action at midnight.

They’ve been without a contract for 16 months.

rpilon@panow.com
 

Previous related stories on paNOW:

– Nov. 12 – SIAST strike looms closer

– Nov. 11 – SIAST ready with contingency plan

– Nov. 10 – SGEU talks break off with SIAST

– Nov. 10 – Strike notice served to SIAST

– Oct. 29 –  SGEU requests a third party in talks with SIAST