Dec 11, 2008
Charlene Close Toronto | Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 4:43 pm
680 news
Toronto - The threat of losing the school year is looming over the heads of 50,000 York University students and that's why there's growing demand for the province to step in and legislate an end to the month-long strike.
The strike began on Nov. 6 and the two sides are still not talking.
Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman is demanding Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy get moving on back to work legislation or resign.
But, Milloy is hoping the university and striking workers reach a deal without the government having to step in.
"This government believes in the collective bargaining process, and we continue to encourage both sides to follow that process and reach an agreement as quickly as possible."
Shurman accused Milloy of not caring about the students or the staff. "(If) something as rudimentary as resolving a highly punitive strike at a mainstream university is, in his opinion, in the autonomous hands of the university (and) not his problem, then he should resign," Shurman said.
Shurman called on the government to debate back to work legislation Thursday, the final day of the legislative session. The MPPs won't be back until mid-February.
A report to the university senate recommended calling off the 2008 year if the strike isn't settled by Monday.