Reaction to the end of the Ontario college strike is coming from the colleges and the union at the centre of it all.
The Ontario legislature voted Sunday to support back-to-work legislation to end the five-week strike and send faculty back to teaching. Most of the 24 colleges across the province are planning to resume classes Tuesday.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) represents the faculty at the colleges. President Warren "Smokey" Thomas says despite the legislation, the strike has put the spotlight on what is perceived to be the struggles of contract faculty.
"The college faculty strike, which the Liberal government has just ended with legislation, put the problems of low-wage contract workers front and centre on the public agenda," says Thomas in a statement. "It was a battle for precarious workers today and for every future worker, in college or out, who dreams of having a good job and the good life it affords."
Thomas isn't holding back his criticism of the Ontario Liberals and Premier Kathleen Wynne as to how the negotiations were handled.
"The Liberals let the strike drag on until they could justify their legislation in the court of public opinion," says Thomas. "In doing so, they played right into the hand of the College Employer Council, which had been aiming for legislation, not negotiation, all along. If Premier Kathleen Wynne had been proactive on this file she would have ordered the colleges to move weeks ago to end the cheap labour strategy that is short-changing faculty and students alike," he said. "Instead, she let the colleges thumb their noses at students, faculty, collective bargaining, and even her own government."
Meanwhile, the colleges are working diligently to have the resumption of classes ready to go for Tuesday and are working to regain the confidence of students and staff. Patti France, president of St. Clair College, apologizes to students and assures them that help is there for the asking.
"We know that this has been a very difficult time for our students and for our staff," says France in a letter posted on the college's official website. "I am so very sorry for the impact that the work stoppage has caused you and your family."
Judith Morris, president and CEO of Lambton College, put up a notice of her own thanking students for their understanding.
"We look forward to welcoming our students and faculty back to the classroom," says Morris. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have shown immense patience and respect for our faculty, staff and students during this time."
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