6 Strike

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Kelley Ware
Multimedia Coordinator

Aw to Dr. Ken Wilkening’s
calculations, over 300 people filled the
plaza outside the Prince George Courthouse
at noon on March 7, 2015. The crowd was
there for a rally to support the UNBC Faculty
Association during their job action. Pre-made
Faculty Association signs and homemade
signs from staff and students filled the plaza
at noon when the rally was to start.

The event began with the Faculty Association
Vice President, Dr. Erik Jensen, rallying the
crowd and introducing the speakers. He
mentioned that students go to UNBC for the
great education provided by its professors.
Without quality professors, students would
not be inclined to attend UNBC. Likewise,

he called for the necessity of a wide array

of support for this strike: students, their
families, other unions, and other Canadian
universities. With 300 bodies in attendance,
it seems like he has received his request.

Some of the Faculty Association’s flying
pickets were in attendance and spoke as well.
Representatives from CNC, the University of
Western Ontario, the University of Manitoba,
St. Paul’s University, and Mount St. Vincent
University, among others, showed solidarity.
Many also gifted the Faculty Association
with cheques to show their support.
Likewise, other non-faculty unions outside
of faculty showed their solidarity as well.
Other unions such as CUPE, the BCTF, the BC
Government Employees Union, UNIFOR, the
North Central Labour Council, and the BC
Federation of Labour were all in attendance.

Cars honked passing by as the rally took
place, greeted with waves and cheers as
union leaders spoke about the strike, the

necessity of it, and how much they want
to get back to work as soon as they can.

“Pickets have come from coast to coast,”
said Dr. Thomas Booth from the University
of Manitoba, in regards to the support
received by the Faculty Association.

“If you are still on the line next week,

rest assured we are with you.”

while talking about the value of
UNBC’s professors, Aaron from the

BC Federation of Labour said it most
eloquently: “This institution on the
hill is a world class institution, not
because of management but because of
the hard work you have put into it.”

Finally, Dr. Jacqueline Holler, the Faculty
Association President, was the last to

speak. At times, she seemed near tears,
overwhelmed by the amount of people who
joined them in the plaza. She mentioned
that one of her previous students even drove
from Alberta to show support. In her speech,
she stated that the university is quick to

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and celebrate teaching excellence, except
when it comes to compensation. “We are
excellent until it comes time to pay us,”
said Dr. Holler, “[we want] excellence for
UNBC that is sustainable into the future.”

The rally ended with a rendition of the
union song “Solidarity Forever” sung a
cappella by the entire crowd. Before the
crowd dispersed, Dr. Holler made one final
shout-out to the students, recognizing that
professors are here because of them and
that they are thankful for the amount of
support they have seen from the students.

After the rally, Over the Edge was able to
quickly meet with Dr. Holler before she went
back to their strike headquarters. “I think

it went phenomenally well,” said Dr. Holler.
“We appreciate the student’s support. We
know this is tough for students and we want
to get this over as soon as we can, but we
need the administration to give a fair deal.”

For up-to-date information on strike
news, visit our strike page, the
Faculty Association’s page, and the
university’s faculty relations page.