U of M strike: Students march on picket line as bargaining continues

University of Manitoba students joined striking faculty members on the picket lines on Friday in a show of solidarity.

"We invite all students to come fight for their education," stated a call to action from the University of Manitoba Students Union, whichrepresents 21,000 undergraduate students.

The message from UMSUurging support for the University of Manitoba Faculty Association's demands for workload protectionsechoed UMFA's arguments that overworked professors mean lower quality education for students.

"We understand that poor teaching conditions mean poor learning conditions. We have formally endorsed UMFA's core demands, in the belief that these demands would improve the learning conditions for students," UMSU stated.

"Most importantly, we feel that this show of support will help to bring about a speedy resolution to the strike and a fair deal for our professors."

The union and administration have been in on-and-offdiscussions since March 2016, when the last collective agreement expired. They have been in steady talks since Wednesday this week, hoping to hammer out a deal.

UofM students show support

8 years ago

Duration 1:24

University of Manitoba students joined striking faculty members on the picket lines on Friday in a show of solidarity.

UMFA, which represents more than 1,200 members, went on the picket line Nov. 1 after mediation failed.The conciliatorwas brought in Nov. 2 but the two sides have accused one another of not being willing to make acceptable concessions.

• 'Ready to move': U of M faculty to present new proposal as bargaining resumes
• U of M strike: Conciliation talks continue after late meetings
• Students 'divided' on U of M strike as undergraduate union votes to support professors
• University of Manitoba, faculty association hit impasse in mediation

Some classes have been going on as usual because they are taught by non-UMFA members teaching assistants and sessional instructors. As well, some faculty association members have decided to cross the picket lines and keep teaching.

However, the majority of students have had classes impacted in some way.

Information on courses, classroom scheduling and service changescan be found on the university's website.