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CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTS NOW TO BE INCLUDED IN THE VCSA

At the last General Assembly, a vote was passed allowing Continuing Education students to become part of the VCSA. Currently, all day time students are members of the VCSA, meaning they can use services provided by the association, apply for scholarships organized by the council, take part in the VCSA’s events, vote in general assemblies, and join their executive council. As of the winter semester, Continuing Education students will also be permitted to do the same thing. Like day time students, night time students will now have 20 dollars added to their school fees (which stands at 15 dollars less than what day time students are currently required to pay).

40 NEW TREES PLANTED ON THE VANIER PREMISES

Despite the rain, during Wednesday the 28th at UB, some 40 trees were planted by a group of students as an assignment for their class Sustainability in Action. Look for some newly planted trees in front of the N building, the D entrance, and the sports complex next time you head out. Some new trees are also expected to be planted in front of the school by the city of Montreal sometime soon.

VANIER TEACHERS BEGAN THE FIRST DAY OF THE 6TH ROTATING DAY STRIKE

On Thursday October 29th, classes were cancelled and students were blocked from entering school premises as a result of the teacher’s strike taking place right outside the school. Vanier teachers joined together to protest against the government’s unwillingness to negotiate with public workers demands across Quebec, and to show their frustration. So far, that was the first day of the strike, but 5 more days are scheduled for the 16th and 17th of November, and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December. It’s expected that 6 days will be added to school calendar to make up for the loss, since this is what has been done in the past to make up for strike days. Exam schedule may also be pushed ahead, but this is also still unconfirmed.

Down the street from Vanier, Cegep St. Laurent teachers were also protesting the same issue. In French Cegeps like St. Laurent and Cegep Maisonneuve, it’s not only teachers who are in favour of striking, but students who plan to take part in the strikes as well. So far the VCSA hasn’t had in any votes proposing to go on strike, although they have voted in solidarity with the teacher’s association. Eric Durling, the president of the teacher’s association, mentioned that “we encourage students, if they want to come out with us (to protest) that they’re welcome”.

One staff member in particular, Richard Dugas, the Sustainability Officer, expressed his worries about what may happen if negotiations were not reached soon enough with the government. If so, he said unions would most likely go on strike for an indefinite amount of time, which could cause them some backlash as a result.  For example, “the liberal government, since they are in majority, could pass “back to work” legislation to scare people into not striking”, said Dugas.

By Miriam Lafontaine