Part-time teachers vote to strike

Part-time strike update
by Karen Fournier

Concordia part-time teachers voted to begin striking Monday. Maria Peluso, president of the part-time faculty association, announced today at a press conference that 25 classes will be cancelled starting next week. The number of cancelled classes will increase progressively.

Concordia University has just announced the strike will not affect students’ winter term. They are still expected to attend classes.

“If the professor does not appear for the course, it is nonetheless the student’s responsibility to turn in any work due for the course to the department office responsible for the course immediately,” reads a statement issued by Concordia University.

Concordia’s 900 part-time faculty members teach 40 per cent of classes. They are asking for better wages and improved job security. They have been without a contract for six years.

The Concordia Student Union and other student associations have vowed to support the part-time teachers’ negotiations.

- Karen Fournier.