Last-ditch attempt to end York University strike

Ontario to send in ?top? mediator

By ANTONELLA ARTUSO

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he's sending in a top mediator to help negotiate an end to the York University strike, but refused to commit to legislating the strikers back on the job if this latest measure fails.

McGuinty said he believes his way of dealing with the almost 11-week-old strike will produce quicker results for the 50,000 students out of class since November.

"We'll give this one more shot," McGuinty said. "We think it's the fastest way to bring this home ... to send in a mediator to bang a few heads together and ideally lead to a speedy resolution."

McGuinty said he understands that this has been "terribly disruptive" and that there's a risk that strike will impact on students' summer plans.

The premier said he was offering "a limited amount of time" for this to work out but refused to be more specific.

Conservative MPP Peter Shurman, who is calling on th premier to bring back the Ontario Legislature immediately to end the strike, said McGuinty's approach is "irresponsible" because it allows the strike to drag on even longer.