Updated Q&A for Students (February 5, 2010)
View the Q&A (Adobe PDF)

Feb. 10 Final Offer Vote (February 3, 2010)
The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has just announced that college faculty will have the opportunity to vote on the colleges' final offer on Wednesday, February 10, the day before OPSEU's February 11 strike deadline. The OLRB will oversee a final offer vote to be held at all 24 colleges.
View the news release (Adobe PDF)

Important Bargaining Update (February 2, 2010)
Council has requested of the OLRB (Ontario Labour Relations Board) to take its final offer to the faculty membership for a vote, as soon as possible. Please see attached news release. Also, please note there is a webcast this afternoon at 2 p.m.
View the news release (Adobe PDF)

Academic Bargaining Update (February 1, 2010)
The union representing faculty made a public statement at 2 p.m. today indicating a strike deadline of Feb. 11. Please be reminded that in the event of a faculty strike, plans are in place to assist students complete their studies. Students are advised to attend classes and stay on top of all assignments. Colleges will be considering all available options to prevent a strike and will respond very soon. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Thank you.

Academic Bargaining Update (January 28, 2010)
Last night it was reported here that the College Compensation and Appointments Council had asked the Faculty Union to let them know by noon today if it would take Council's final contract offer to faculty members for a vote. Council was advised by the mediator at about 4:45 p.m. today, January 28, the Union will inform Council on Monday, February 1 of their response. We will keep you informed as new information becomes available. Thank you.

***

January 27, 2010:
CLICK HERE FOR ACADEMIC BARGAINING UPDATE

***

Below is a copy of Questions and Answers for students and staff. These Q and A's will be updated as new or additional information is provided.

An automated message line has been activated at 519-452-4438.

STUDENT Q&A

1. Will there be a strike since the provincial vote was in favour of one?

Not necessarily, and we are hopeful a strike can be averted. Negotiations took place on January 19, 20 and 21. A mutually-agreed to recess has been called and discussions are set to resume again on Tuesday, January 26.

2. Because Fanshawe faculty voted against the strike, will you be open even if there is a province-wide strike?

Our focus right now is to avoid a strike at any college. However, in the event of a labour disruption, the College would remain open for access to homework labs, libraries and other services.

3. Would classes be cancelled if there is a strike?

It is too soon to speculate. In the past, most day-time classes were cancelled, affecting most full-time post-secondary students at all campuses. However, the College would remain open for access to homework labs, libraries and other services. Our focus right now is to avoid a strike.

4. What is the most important information for all of us to know?

It is business as usual for the College. Students should come to class and stay on top of their course load including homework and assignments.

5. Will students be reimbursed money if they lose their semester to a strike?

The colleges will use semester completion plans to help students complete their studies. In the past, no students lost their year unless the student decided to withdraw.

6. Would that mean the school year would be extended?

We don't have that information at this time however the College would do everything possible to lessen the impact on students. If and when a strike is imminent, students will get more information on semester completion strategies, but we hope that won't be necessary.

7. What message do you have for students that rely on summer jobs if the semester is prolonged into the summer?

Colleges would use semester completion plans to lessen the impact on students. No one wants students to be disadvantaged for summer jobs.

8. When could a strike take place?

Again, we are hopeful that there will not be a strike. However, if that were to happen, the Union must give five days notice of their intent to strike.

9. What are the main issues?

The two main issues are salary and workload. The colleges have provided an eight per cent increase to salary over four years that would increase the maximum salary to approximately $104,000 with no increase to workload.

10. What message do you have for students?

Stay informed and stay active. Engage with your teachers, your classmates and your student leaders. This is your education and you have every right to know how it might be affected. Continue to attend classes. Stay on top of your assignments and watch for further information from the College.

11. How will we find out?

Through the FSU www.fsu.ca and College www.fanshawec.ca websites, Fanshawe Online and the College message line 519-452-4438. Email messages to students will also be sent if new information becomes available. We will put messages in your student newspaper and on College radio stations as well as through other media and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.