'We don't want to be out of the classroom any longer'

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York University students held a rally Monday, Nov. 17 to protest the current strike situation which has forced the cancellation of classes since Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3903 members walked off the job Nov. 6.

Some 200 students filled Vari Hall at the Steeles Avenue and Keele Street campus, several holding signs and taking to the stage to voice frustration at lost class time.

The rally, organized by student group www.yorknothostage.com, pinned banners, a petition and a message board to the walls, with many students choosing to vent their frustration through writing.

Catherine Divaris, founder of www.yorknothostage.com, told The Mirror the group came to fruition last week on Facebook and has attracted 2,000 members.

"We are frustrated with the strike," said the kinesiology student.

"We are stuck hanging in the balance. This rally was to gain momentum and keep on pushing. We just want to get back to class. If both sides can agree on a deal, that's great, but we don't want to be out of the classroom any longer."

Some 3,300 contract faculty, teaching assistants and graduate assistants have been off the job since rejecting the university's latest offer.

York University is offering a wage increase of 9.25 per cent over three years while the union wants 11 per cent over two years plus better job security for contract faculty.

Stephanie Sunde, who is enrolled in York's bachelor of education program, said she has lost critical program hours due to the strike.

"I cannot afford to lose time," she said. "We need to have enough (practical) hours to apply for jobs with the (Toronto District School Board). I would like to see both sides come to some sort of agreement."

Speaking at the rally, Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman promised to take the students' concerns to Queen's Park.