York University staff members were back on the picket line Monday morning as talks between the union and the administration continued for the third day in a row.
The ongoing negotiations are taking place at a North York hotel in an effort to end the job action that has shut out 50,000 students from their classes for two months.
Students have been out of school since Nov. 6, when 3,400 contract employees, including graduate and teaching assistants, walked off the job. The two sides didn't speak for more than a month until Saturday when a mediator brought both groups back to the bargaining table.
Many of those carrying picket signs Monday told CTV Toronto they're frustrated with how slow negotiations have been proceeding.
"(There are) 50,000 students who are frustrated as hell at the fact that this is ongoing so you know, why couldn't we have done this bargaining over the break?" said one man on the picket line.
Other picketers said they have no choice but to take action to stand up for what they believe is a fair resolution.
"We have to continue our presence here to let the administration know that we're serious and that we want them to continue bargaining with us," said one contract worker.
The union, a division of CUPE, says it is fighting for job security for its contract employees as well as improved wages. It is also asking that benefits are restored to 2005 levels.
The university is offering a 9.25-per-cent wage increase over three years, while the union is believed to be seeking 11 per cent over two years.
While talks have continued steadily over the past three days, sources say the two sides are still far apart.
Even if a deal is reached today, it would take at least 72 hours before classes could resume. The administration would need the time to prepare for classes and notify staff and students.
The Reading Week break would have to be cancelled and the semesters would be compressed. It could also take 13 additional classes to make up for the lost days.
Lyndon Koopmans is a first-year business student who is part of a York University anti-strike group. He told Canada AM on Monday the consequences for students are "extremely severe."
It's foreign students who suffer the most because they pay more in tuition and can only work jobs on campus jobs under visa restrictions, Koopmans said.
Koopmans said a select group of union members support anti-strike groups like his because they agree the union has gone on strike against its better judgment.
"In the process they are willing to trample on students," Koopmans said.
"They are not just asking for the meat and potatoes, they're going on and asking for the gravy," he said.
But Terrance Luscombe, a fourth-year international development student, told Canada AM on Monday that he supports the striking workers
"The administration is not giving its employees the proper considerations," Luscombe said.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Dana Levenson
