Jan 13, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2009
PC MPP DEMANDS AN ACADEMIC RESCUE FOR YORK U. STUDENTS
(Queen?s Park) - Progressive Conservative MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill) wants to know why Ontario MPPs aren't back in the Legislature putting an end to the fear, unfair treatment, and worry now affecting 50,000 York students. Shurman today repeated his call for the McGuinty government to immediately recall the Legislature and pass back-to-work legislation to end the strike at York University.
?This government wants us to believe that it is neutral and in favour of maintaining the university?s autonomy. The fact is that their so-called neutrality is victimizing York U. students and costing them their education, graduate plans, financial resources and employment opportunities,? said Shurman.
The CUPE 3903 strike began November 6, 2008. Since then, Shurman has consistently demanded the McGuinty government take action to prevent a prolonged strike - precisely what we now have, he says. He warns that with the break in negotiations, the loss of the academic year is not only a grim, but also a very real, prospect for students.
?So far McGuinty?s track record in Ontario is that of failure - he has failed Ontario on the economy and with his refusal to act he continues to fail students trapped by an irresponsible CUPE 3903 strike,? Shurman added.
When John Tory, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, was asked by the Lindsay Post what he would do as Premier now that we are in the New Year and a new term, Tory replied, ??I would have given them a week to settle the strike and if that failed I would have called the Legislature back and passed back-to-work legislation.?
Peter Shurman says it?s not only the year that?s at risk, but also the summer season.
?The union lost all hope of public support when it failed to put York's recent offer to a membership vote. York administration requested a Ministry supervised vote which will take place on Monday and Tuesday next week, bringing us perilously close to that "drop dead" date at which the York academic year is lost,? Shurman said. ?Do we dare leave things to chance and gamble with the lives of 50,000 students? Apparently, if you are Dalton McGuinty, the answer is ?yes.?
?I call upon the Premier and the Labour Minister to do what they were elected to do: Work on behalf of Ontarians?.50,000 Ontarians and their families have that expectation and that right. Stop hiding, call us back to the Legislature and let?s end this strike now.?
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For more information contact:
Monika Bujalska, Executive Assistant
Office of Peter Shurman, MPP (Thornhill)
416-325-1415
peter.shurman@pc.ola.org