Faculty cast ballots in strike vote

With possible work stoppage looming at colleges across the province, it remains unclear what the future holds for Confederation College staff and students.

About 160 local full-time faculty cast their votes today on a new strike mandate. Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union are lobbying for smaller class sizes and improved academic freedom language in their contract, among other things.

If the employees vote yes, the earliest possible strike date is Feb. 14. Local OPSEU president Kaia Beaudry said she hopes the two sides can come to an agreement before that deadline.

The last strike took place in 2006, and lasted three weeks.

College president Pat Lang has stated that should there be a strike, the institution will have to shut its doors. But she promises that students will still be able to complete their academic year.