By Stephanie Froese

Exam time raises worries about strike for SIAST students

Dec 8, 2010 | 12:23 PM

With exams in full swing, Students and teachers at SIAST Woodland Campus are taking things one day at a time while they wait for news of a potential strike.

“The message that instructors are telling students is let’s just focus on today and get through today and worry about the exams today and go from there,” Jeanette Murphy, SIAST Student Association President said.

Murphy said there hasn’t been much impact on exams but she did say a lot of students are worried.

“The message that we’ve been giving is that if everybody contacts their MLAs or contacts the minister of advanced education and tells them what’s going on and how they’re feeling– they would have a better impact than just us as a student association.”

One thing that Murphy said is on the back of students’ minds is what will happen after exams are over.

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

1h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

4h ago

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

23h ago

If any students are concerned or have any issues Murphy said they should not hesitate to go to the office at Woodland Campus and let the Student Association know.

“We’ll advocate on your behalf … and we can all get the message out there that we want everyone back at the bargaining table so that a strike doesn’t impact our students.”

There is some good news for students though, the college SGEU, have agreed to get back to the negotiating table.

SIAST's Gary Earles said he's optimistic a settlement can be reached before Christmas after SGEU has agreed to one of the suggest mediators.

Jim Steele with the union's negotiating committee said mediation could begin later this week.
sfr

oese@panow.com