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Too early to tell if faculty strike would interrupt classes Continued from page 3 7 · Wednesday, August 29, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com updating the workload formula to address increased online learning. "The colleges are running out of time. They have had two and a half months to negotiate, and they still haven't addressed our key issues. What are they waiting for?" said Carolyn Gaunt, Faculty Bargaining Team co-chair, in the release. "A number of Ontario's university academic unions, including those at York University and the University of Toronto, have recently come to reasonable settlements with their employer. We expect the same." At Sheridan College, management has not shown signs of concern over the looming strike vote, saying such mandates are not uncommon during the bargaining process. Cathrine Berge, vice-president of human resources and organizational development, said both the colleges and the union are at the bargaining table with a conciliator from the Ministry of Labour. "As far as moving forward, trying to achieve a settlement, all the right supports are in place in order for that to be achieved," she said. Sheridan, as well as other Ontario colleges, is also going through a strike contingency planning process. Berge said it is too early to tell if classes would stop if the faculty goes on strike. While the negotiations are taking place, the students are hoping for a quick resolution. The College Student Alliance, which represents more than 135,000 full-time students, is calling on the Council and OPSEU to be fair and reasonable in the negotiation of the new contract. "We urge both sides to reflect on the best interests of students and we ask that both parties bargain in good faith and take the strike option off the table," said Ciara Byrne, president of the alliance, in the release. "We also ask that each college administration work with their respective student governments to develop contingency plans to reduce the potential impact of the bargaining process on students." Sinclair said the union and the council are no closer to closing the $200-million gap between the two sides now than they were last week. "We're at the table. The parties are talking and we're going to try to get an agreement by this Friday, but we have some fairly strong fiscal realities we have to deal with, so I think that will be very challenging." BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL! BACK TO SCHOOL MEAL DEAL 1 Large Lasagna, 1 Large Size Garden Salad, With Dressing Plus Receive FREE Only $ with purchase of Back To School Meal Deal. *while quantities last 1 Litre of Chocolate Milk 2995 Dund Trafa lg 2501 Prince Michael Dr (at Dundas St.) (905) 257-9200 Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am - 7 pm, Saturday 9 am - 6 pm , Sunday 10 am - 4 pm ar Rd as St E Valid from Sept. 1st - Sept. 9th ONLY. Cold/Fresh Only. Pick up Only . Exc ludes Se afood L asagna. All t axes e xtra. Only. Excludes Seafood Lasagna. taxes extra. www.palmapasta.com l Dr hae Mic e c Prin Uppe r Mid dle 403 Rd E