Level the college playing field

RE: Put students first and end college strike (Nov. 8)

It is 2017. There has to be a better way than to hold the powerless hostage in labour disputes. A fist step might be: When teachers are not being paid, the other side also should not be paid ... not college presidents, the bargaining units or union hierarchy. This puts everyone on a more level playing field with a stronger motivation for settlement. The students should be paid at a rate equal to their costs. That student pay should be continued through any extensions in the school year in an effort to compensate for lost earning time.

I intend not to take away from the idea of labour unions nor the college’s role management. But it is time to improve the system. Gary Caldwell, Lynden