Fleming College classes could resume Tuesday

Striking Fleming College teachers could be back on the job Monday and classes could resume Tuesday.

The Ontario government tabled legislation Friday to end a five-week strike by college faculty.

After the NDP refused to provide unanimous consent for the move, the legislation will now be debated through rare sittings on Saturday and Sunday. If it is passed on Sunday, classes could resume Tuesday, the colleges said.

Fleming College plans to extend the winter semester by an extra week to Dec .22, with an added week starting Jan. 2.

The winter semester would start Jan. 15 and run for an extra week until April 27, with the winter break delayed by one week to March 5 to 9.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal says he’s hoping college students will get back to class as soon as Monday.

After a five-weeks trike, MPs convened in the legislature Friday as Labour Minister Kevin Flynn introduced legislation to order teachers back to work – perhaps as soon as Monday.

Over the phone Friday from Queen’ s Park, Le al said it was unfortunate the NDP wouldn’t give consent for a debate.

Leal said he was prepared to stay in the legislature and debate for as long as it took to get students back in class.

He said his constituency office in Peter borough has received numerous phone calls during the strike from students and their families, all eager to see a return to class.

“My office has been bombarded with calls,” Leal said.

The government believe sin bargaining, Le al added.

“But after five weeks ... we have to take decisive action,” he said.

Earlier this week, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said years of underspending on the college system is to blame for the strike.

But Leal pointed out the Liberals spent million son the construction of the K aw art ha Trade and Technology Centre at Fleming College in Peterborough, for example, while it has also strengthened the studentloan program and offered free tuition for many students.

“Over the last four years we’ ve made unprecedented investment in postsecondary education ,” Le al said.

NOTES: See more coverage on Page B3 and read Fleming College academic vice-president Judith Limkilde’s message to students online at www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com.