During any labour dispute one of the biggest problems facing both union and management is the uncertainty caused by drawn-out and sometimes tense negotiations.
In a workplace setting where negotiations have a significant impact on the lives of a third major group (students) this uncertainty may spread, in our case leaving many questions unanswered and inconveniencing normal academic activity.
Policy designed to guarantee student refunds for disruption of services caused by labour disputes would serve as a major step in ensuring good faith bargaining during negotiations between the Carleton University administration and the various unions on campus.
Modeled on legislation proposed by the New Brunswick New Democratic Party, the Carleton NDP is proposing a strategy which would see Ontario university students reimbursed for tuition and housing expenses should labour disruptions interrupt scheduled classes.
Consumer protection measures should be extended into a classroom setting and it should be incumbent on university administrators to offer “make up” classes free of charge in the event of a strike or lockout.
Regardless of your views on the ongoing labour issues at Carleton, it is accepted that when people work together and come to terms on a mutually acceptable contract, it is more preferable than any drawn out dispute.
A student-first policy would ensure students aren’t financially punished for a situation beyond their control and act as an incentive for unions and especially university administrators to bargain in good faith, with the goal of agreeing to a contract without the necessity of a strike.
What is most distressing about the current situation, beyond the administration being unwilling to settle with the employees who ensure the safety of students and staff at Carleton, are the petty politics in which it has engaged.
Pitting students and employees against one another by asserting that those who seek a better contract are putting themselves ahead of the student body is just another reason for students to be offered protection from the tactics that accompany collective bargaining.
While it is impossible to avoid all of the effects a labour disruption, students deserve financial compensation, especially when they are used as pawns in the bargaining process.
Above all there should be a common commitment to allow for free collective bargaining at Carleton and in every other unionized workplace. Students should not foot the bill for an unco-operative administration at Carleton or any other post-secondary institute.
A progressive movement is seeking to ensure stability in our classrooms, for our university staff, and especially for our fellow students, and believes that these types of policies serve as a common sense step to achieving that goal.
