Strike Rant

Hello World,
Last blog I told you about the strike, and boy did it get intense. Teachers set the strike date October 20th. A whole week went by, and neither side budged. Monday the 19th rolled around, and we were preparing for the worst. Not only did we expect to watch our teachers circle with a picket sign, but we thought it was going to go on for a long time. But to the students, and faculty's surprise BANG strike averted, both sides came to a tentative agreement. So that is what happened, but I kind of want to rant about who was forgotten in this whole situation.

I am not impressed with how the students were treated during this whole mess. From day one I think both sides lost sight of who was going to be effected the most. I don't think either side meant to leave us out, but it happened. Since school started in September and the rumors of a strike were lingering in the school we were told nothing. But wait, the day after faculty and support staff voted over 90 % in favor of striking, we were sent an email. The email including lots of reassuring and next to no information was useless. Email after email popped into our inbox all of which said "Don't worry, this doesn't mean a strike is in the future". We the students were left with worries and doubts about or education and NO plans for the future.

As if being in the dark wasn't bad enough, the day a strike was averted we were yet again forgotten. Teachers received word through email at 10:30 that a strike had been averted. And then about 45 minutes to an hour later boom, students are finally told. Why was I surprised?

Strike or no strike, I am hurt and annoyed at the way I was treated as a student during this whole mess. I haven't even started on how students acted during this mess. Here at the Waterfront campus we did nothing to try and save our education. Student association was useless. They planned a "Peaceful Demonstration" outside province house at 7:45 the day the strike was set to start. Wait a minute, am I missing something? For one, what is a demonstration going to do now, our teachers are already out on the streets and we are sitting on our buts at home. Second, no one is at province house at that hour in that day. Who are we to be yelling at, Security? Way to go SA, 4 thumbs down in my opinion.

The main point is a strike was averted and I am happily still in school. Union members will vote tonight on the new deal. The union is recommending they accept the proposal. My point is, this was a huge mess. I think both sides failed in remembering who was the most important party and I think we as a student body failed in getting our voice out there.

Until next time,
KP