U of T teaching assistants set up picket lines on campus

Thousands of striking University of Toronto teaching assistants are planning to set up picket lines at three Toronto-area campuses on Monday morning.

Students have been told classes will go ahead at the universitys three campuses in downtown Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough but there may be some strike-related interruptions to some labs and tutorials.

• Teaching assistants strike at University of Toronto

Erin Black, the chair of the teaching assistants union, said students will notice a difference.

"Some lectures may proceed, but the small group discussion and learning that wont be happening."

The some 7,000 teaching assistants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees 3902, had a tentative deal in place last Friday but voted overwhelmingly to reject it.

CUPE continues to stress a teaching assistants take home pay is below the poverty level.

The university, however, insists it offered "generous" improvements to teaching assistants compensation and benefits which are amongthe highest in Canada, it said in a news release.

"Despite the strike action, we are staying open and will be focused on our commitment to students and their academic success," said Professor Cheryl Regehr, the Universitys vice-president and provost.

Several students, including Svetlana Davidchuk who is in the sociology program, voiced their support for the striking workers.

"Everyone has a right to fight for a better life. If this is the only way they can do it, I guess they have the right,"Davidchuk said.

Still, she said, "Id rather go to the lectures and tutorials that I paid for."

Others students said theyre concerned a prolonged strike could wind up costing them summer jobs. Joanna Owdell, a cellular biology student, said thats the situation her classmates are in.

"The practical components of the laboratory are necessary for them to get summer jobs."

York University will be keeping a close eye on the disruption, as it is facing a teaching assistants strike of its own.

York, whose teaching assistants walked off the job for three months in 2009, is in ongoing contract negotiations. Teaching assistants will be in a legal strike position on Tuesday.

At the U of T campuses, several TTC routes are diverting around the picket lines.