Fanshawe students begin orientation week with faculty strike looming

School's out? Fanshawe students are hoping their post secondary careers are not disrupted as quickly as they began, CTV London's Bryan Bicknell has more.

It’s a new semester at Ontario colleges, and many students are attending post-secondary school for their first time. They’re also hoping their post secondary careers are not disrupted as quickly as they began, as a strike threat looms over orientation week.

“Honestly, I heard that on the news this morning and my heart is just breaking,” said Adel Akun, who just started the fashion design program at Fanshawe College. “I’m excited to be in school, like, and that’s going to break my heart. I’m hoping that they don’t. Please, I’m hoping that they don’t,” he said.

In fact, Ontario college faculty could strike as early as Thursday. Mediated talks are ongoing Monday and Tuesday between the colleges and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, in hopes of avoiding a work stoppage.

Second year digital marketing student Amer Al Qadhi says he supports the teachers, but he doesn’t want to lose a semester.

“It’s the uncertainty that’s concerning. Are they going to go on strike, and if they do, how long is it for? And it leaves us with many questions that are not answered. So, I hope it gets resolved with all parties happy,” he said.

The College Employer Council, which represents the 24 colleges at the bargaining table, says a strike would impact 450,000 students.

A number of Fanshawe College students CTV News spoke with were not even aware their academic futures were on the line.

“Well, I’m just starting, and if teachers are deciding kind of not to go to work then that’s kind of ruining my plans and my goals in the future. So that wouldn’t be a good idea,” commented Abdul Sharif, a first-year student in automotive.

“Just like he said,” added Sharif’s friend, Saad Ganget. “The teachers’ choice - if they want to go on strike then that’s ruining our plans, all the students’ plans for their future,” said Ganget.

The last time Ontario college faculty went on strike was in the fall of 2017. That lasted for five weeks before the provincial government legislated them back to work. Eventually they reached a deal through binding arbitration.