The invitation from Colleges and Universities Minister Chris Bentley comes hours before the two sides in the dispute are to stage twin demonstrations in downtown Toronto.

Bentley is asking officials from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the College Compensation and Appointments Council to meet him tomorrow to discuss the strike.

In a statement, Bentley says he feels it is essential to hold the meeting due to concern over the impact of the strike on students.

The strike by about 9,100 faculty at 24 colleges began March 7.

Workload issues are at the heart of the dispute keeping around 150,000 students from their classes.

Faculty members plan to stage a rally in the downtown core before marching a few blocks to the Ministry of Colleges building.

Students plan their own demonstration at the Ontario legislature.

They plan to set up a giant chessboard — a prop to illustrate their opposition to being pawns in the dispute.

The colleges have promised that the students will not lose their school year which, under normal circumstances, would be drawing to a close next month.

College officials have said managers will teach courses if necessary.