Students join Cape Breton University faculty on day four of strike
Cape Breton University faculty members were back on the picket line Monday, where they were joined by some of their students.
"I wanted to show my support for the faculty,” said Jessica MacNeil, a Bachelor of Arts student from Sydney in her final year of a communications degree.
Inside, the university's board of governors held a closed door meeting.
Students had planned to stage a silent protest in the hallway outside but due to what the university called an initial concern about numbers, they were asked not to demonstrate in the hallways as some classes were still taking place, taught by staff who are not members of the striking union.
The explanation didn't sit well with some on the picket line.
"The administration is trying to stifle our voices in that sense,” said student Curtis Hutchinson. “They're trying to make it so that we can't show our support, they're trying to keep everything very hush-hush with it."
The university told CTV Atlantic when they saw a manageable number of students show up to participate, those who wanted to protest were invited indoors to use the school's Great Hall.
Some still chose to join faculty outside.
"I think given comments [CBU President & Vice-Chancellor David Dingwall] made about meetings of the minds, I'm hoping they'll make a decision and come back and talk to us”, said Scott Moir, a member of the Cape Breton University Faculty Association.
Also on Monday, more than 800 faculty members at Memorial University of Newfoundland walked off the job.
"I think there's a climate,” Moir said. “I think there's problems in terms of collaborative governance here, and I think that needs to get fixed."
Students on the picket line said they've long felt caught in the middle of this dispute over wages.
"It really bothers me”, Hutchinson said. “I want to be in there. I just started a facilitation program this year, and it's a practicum. I can't do my practicum without being in there to talk to my students."
There was no word on what resulted from Monday's CBU board of governors meeting by deadline.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.