A town hall meeting for the University of Windsor's 16,000 students was quiet on Wednesday.
Only about 30 students showed up to hear about the ongoing labour dispute between university administration and the Windsor University Faculty Association over the noon hour. The union held the meeting to allow students the opportunity to ask questions about the dispute.
“For a student like me who works all summer and pays up front, it’s not fair. They are cutting us off. It affects our education and how we study and look at UWindsor,” says Christina Chivani.
The fourth year student says if faculty head to the picket line, she will consider switching universities.
“I want it over. I want school to continue, if not, I need a cheque back.”
A strike is something that could be a reality, according to WUFA president Anne Forrest. The two sides in the labour dispute are in mediated talks on Wednesday and Thursday.
There will be no work stoppage during this time, but if no tentative agreement is reached, Forrest says there will be a faculty walkout.
“We will unfortunately be going on strike and it could be Friday,” Forrest says. “We are standing on the shoulders of many… it’s important we continue this tradition that is collective bargaining.”
WUFA members have been without a negotiated contract since July 3.
