Mediator calls parties in Ontario college strike back to bargaining table

Ontario colleges and striking faculty members will return to bargaining Thursday.

• Colleges ask provincial mediator to revive talks in dispute with faculty

• St. Clair College suspends student job placements that some require to graduate

Amediator called both parties back to the table Wednesday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Labour.

"This strike has gone on for too long. We need to end the strike and get our students and faculty back in the classroom," saidSonia Del Missier, chair of the College Employer Councilbargaining team in a statement released Wednesday. "We can reach a settlement quickly and have classes start againearly next week."

Classes for a half-million students, including those at St. Clair and Lambton Collegehave been cancelled since the strike began October 16.