Laurentian offers shuttles for bus-riding students
UPDATED Sept. 8 at 2:46 p.m.
The union representing striking Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) workers said it will do its best to keep traffic flowing through its picket lines at the entrance to Laurentian University as students return to class this week.
Tyler England, chair of OPSEU Local 677's bargaining team, said he has met with representatives of Laurentian and Greater Sudbury Police about the traffic issue on several occasions.
“We realize that this time of year is always busier on campus, and there's always heavier traffic flow than there would be in the summer period,” he said.
“We're going to do our best to manage that traffic and keep it flowing as best as possible, while still exercising our right to inform the public of our struggle.
“We're looking at different creative ways to manage that, such as leafleting more than talking to the people in vehicles, maybe letting more vehicles flow through and maybe not stopping each individual vehicle.”
Despite England's statements, Northern Life has received several reports of traffic tie-ups by those attempting to enter or exit the university Sept. 8.
England said his members — clerical, administrative and technical workers who have been on strike against NOSM since Aug. 16 — are being supported by other union members at the university, as well as the student associations.
He said students, along with union members representing faculty and staff at the university, will visit Local 677's picket lines Sept. 9 as part of a “solidarity day.”
Chris Mercer, chief of staff at Laurentian University, said because Greater Sudbury Transit has been dropping students off at the entrance to the university instead of within the campus during the strike, Laurentian has set up a shuttle system to bring students who take the bus to their classroom buildings.
“We have a shuttle cycling all through campus every 10 minutes,” Mercer said.
Greater Sudbury Police are warning motorists of delays on Ramsey Lake Road, and are asking motorists who can avoid the area do so. Those who cannot are asked to be patient, and factor in time for potential delays.
Two days of mediated talks between NOSM and Local 677 Sept. 1-2 failed to reach an agreement between the two parties.
They have agreed to return to the table Sept. 14 -17, in Thunder Bay, with the assistance of a Ministry of Labour mediator. The parties have agreed to the mediator’s recommendation to maintain a media blackout until and during these new dates.
