ASS executives fired amid discord in student movement

The executive members of the Quebec student associationASSwere relieved from their dutiesduring a closed-door general assembly this weekend.

ASS represents 82,000post-secondary students in Quebec and has been the main catalyst driving this year's student-strike movement.

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Journalists were not permitted into the meeting held inSalaberry-de-Valleyfieldon Saturday, but LaPressereportedthe meeting resulted in the executive committee members quitting.

However, independent sources told Radio-Canada the executive members did not quit butrather, that at least some of themwere removed after those present at the general assembly adopted a motion to dissolve the executive committee.

The reasons for their dismissals remain nebulous. The student organization held another meeting on Sunday.

ASS is expected toissue a news release after that meeting ends on Sunday to explain the situation.

Earlier this week,ASSexecutive members sent a message to its member-associations saying they were considering postponing the student strike until the fall, when the strike would have more union support.

In a four-page letter to its members, the organization suggested a "strategic withdrawal" from an unlimited strike and the planning of larger actions with trade unions in the coming months.

The original plan was to launch an unlimited student strike on April 7.