Thornhill MPP slams province over inaction on York University strike

Thornhill MPP slams province over inaction on York University strike

Regional News

Shurman introduces bill to legislate end to strike

Pressure is building on the province to end the four-week strike at York University.

Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman introduced a private member’s bill yesterday to legislate a settlement to the strike by members of the university’s part-time teaching staff that began Nov. 6.

Mr. Shurman slammed the government for inaction and called on Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy to help students by “salvaging what’s left of their academic year.”

Private member’s bills are rarely passed.

Mr. Shurman said his bill did not specify any settlement details.

Mr. Milloy and Labour Minister Peter Fonseca brushed aside the push for back-to-work legislation, which would lead to an arbitrator settling the contract dispute.

The university has offered a 9.25 per cent wage increase over three years plus benefit improvements and increased job security, but can afford no more.

Teaching assistants say that’s not enough.

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