Some Conestoga teachers will cross line

570 News has learned there is dissension within the ranks of the OPSEU local at Kitchener’s Conestoga College.  

More than half of the business management faculty are open to crossing the picket line should the college faculty strike come about in coming weeks.

Dr. Maureen Nummelin, Professor of International Business Management confirms that to 570 News, as does other staff.

Some students report their teachers have been speaking openly in class about crossing the picket line.

Nummelin says she doesn’t support the strike idea as the strike mandate vote was barely over half in favour, and only three-quarters of Ontario faculty voted.

She’s also concerned about a strike’s impact on students, and doesn’t believe strikes are an effective method to resolve conflicts.

Nummelin adds many of the College’s business faculty don’t want to be part of OPSEU, but union membership came with the job.

Nummelin admits crossing the picket line could create a lasting rift with the business faculty who would support the strike, but she says its a matter of democratic rights.

And she openly acknowledges she and her colleagues are coming at this issue from a business and management background.

Nummelin says she and the other faculty don’t want to create violence on the picket line, so they would be open to the idea of continuing their lessons via online methods like Skype.

The teachers will vote on the offer from the colleges on February 10th.

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