- Voluntary Binding Arbitration Could End Strike Immediately -

    TORONTO, March 23 /CNW/ - The Ontario Public Services Employees Union
representing faculty at Ontario colleges put forward an offer that could end
the strike - but only if the College Compensation and Appointments Council
accepts it.
    "Voluntary binding arbitration, if accepted, would end the strike
immediately," said Jesse Greener, Ontario Chairperson of the Canadian
Federation of Students. "Both parties would agree on an arbitrator who would,
after a serious evaluation of the positions of both parties, provide an
informed resolution to the dispute that has kept students out of their classes
since March 7. This process would be trusted by both faculty and management
and would bring the best results for all parties."
    "Back-to-work legislation is not an option that will work in the
interests of students," said Greener. "If imposed, there will be absolutely no
trust in the process since back-to-work legislation could impose not only an
arbitrator, but even a contract. In this case, students will likely not see
improvements in the faculty student ratio - this would be serious set-back in
the quality of college education."
    "Furthermore, like any legislation, before becoming law back-to-work
legislation must go through three readings in the Ontario Legislative
Assembly, not to mention possible committee hearings," said Greener. "Given
that Thursday is Budget Day this option can only prolong the strike and keep
students out of their classes unnecessarily."
    "Calling on an arbitrator to simply pick one side or another is also
seriously flawed," said Greener, referring to the Council's demand for a final
offer selection. "Clearly both sides have rejected the latest offers, so
forcing an all or nothing decision is merely a game of brinkmanship that won't
address the real issues of the dispute - quality. Again, students will be the
biggest losers."
    "There is absolutely no reason for the College Compensation and
Appointments Council to hesitate in accepting voluntary binding arbitration,"
said Greener. "The process would be fair, informed and trusted by all parties
and would immediately end the strike. Every minute the Council delays in
accepting the Union's offer is prolonging uncertainty for students and setting
the stage for a more poisonous dynamic between faculty and management."