5 week strike left Fanshawe College students frustrated, idle

Many of the Fanshawe College students were dispirited and frustrated after nearly a five-week strike by college faculty left them idle, with many struggling to find ways to pass the time and some even considering quitting their studies altogether.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said the government would table back-to-work legislation in Ontario's legislature Thursday, in the hope of returning students to class on Monday.

Wynne met with the union and the College Employer Council and gave them until 5 o'clock on Thursday to find a resolution, but none was reached.  

The legislation means all outstanding issues in the dispute will be sent to mediation and arbitration. 

Ontario's 12,000 unionized faculty workers walked out on Oct. 15, leaving nearly 500,000 students across the province out of class. 

Many students were caught in the middle of the protracted labour dispute and found themselves out of class for more than a month with little or nothing to do.  

Laura Swyer

'We don't even know what to study'

7 years ago

Duration 0:17

Laura Swyer talks about what it's like to be at school when faculty is on strike.

Studying: Bachelor of environmental design and planning

How she spent her time: Art projects, studying, procrastinating

Why she's worried about her rent: "If you have to book another 12 months," she said. "It's expensive. You have to pay the whole thing, unless you can sublet, which is difficult to do especially when so many people are in similar situations." 

Jeffery Tomlinson

'I'm done. I don't even want to go back to school.'

7 years ago

Duration 0:12

Fanshawe student Jeffery Tomlinson is fed up with a five-week strike by faculty.

Studying: Autobody repair techniques

How he spent his time: Working, going to the gym

Why he wants to quit his studies: "I'm going to miss out on information because they can't cover it all in the time they have left," he said. "We paid to get this information and for all I know we could be missing out on something crucial to our field."

Antonio Fowler

'I just, honestly, want it to be over with'

7 years ago

Duration 0:10

Antonio Fowler reacts to the latest rejection of a contract offer by the union representing Ontario college faculty.

Studying: Computer technology

How he spent his time: trying to do as much of his assignments as he can

Why this strike has cost him big bucks: "I'm from the Bahamas," he said. "As you know, international students pay more in fees than domestic students, so it's a pretty penny."