Workers at Carleton University go on strike

Education workers at Carleton University are on strike Monday after the union and university failed to reach an agreement by the midnight deadline.

CUPE Local 4600 represents about 3,000 teaching assistants and contract instructors at the graduate and undergraduate level.

They've asked for increased wages in line with cost of living raises, increased supports for teaching assistants and control over their own intellectual property.

“It could be a syllabus, it could be actual research material,” said Hayley Rose Malouin, a member of CUPE local 4600 and a PhD student, who adds that if tenured faculty go somewhere else, they own that research. “However, with a contract instructor, they are being denied that basic right of scholarship because Carleton University sees them merely as workers.”

Picketers blocked traffic off Bronson Avenue, as vehicles turn into the university campus, in order to cause a 'minor disruption'.

“We have people who are here to make sure we do not block Bronson Avenue and Colonel By Drive, so that people can get to work. We are legally within seven car lengths into the property and that's where we will stay, and in that 7 car lengths, that's where we will be stopping them and educating them.”

She explained to CityNews that in solidarity, OC Transpo's union would not be crossing their picket lines, so detours are expected for the 2,7,10 and 111 buses.

The university says the campus will remain open, and students are expected to attend class, but there will be some disruptions to classes and labs.