Labour Relations at CNC

Frequently Asked Questions: Students and the Public

1. Will students be able to do homework and assignments at the campus, or will all campuses be closed to everyone?
2. Will computers and the internet be available during job action?
3. How will job action or a strike affect me? Will classes be held?
4. Will the examination period proceed as scheduled in the event of a strike or job action?
5. Will Contract Training and Continuing Education courses continue at each campus, and what courses will be cancelled or rescheduled?
6. What are my responsibilities as a student?
7. How will I know if my class is being offered each day?
8. What happens if my class is cancelled? How will my academic performance be evaluated?
9. Are the academic standards different for students who choose to cross a picket line and those who don’t?
10. Will there be picket lines? What should I expect when I approach a picket line? Should I cross a picket line?
11. Who do I talk to if I have concerns about my academic situation because of strike-related action?
12. My children are in the College Daycare (either Prince George or Burns Lake). Will the child care facilities remain open?
13. How can I pay my tuition fees during any job action? Will the College refund my money for classes missed due to the strike?
14. I need my grades, transcript or other documentation for applications to graduate, or to apply for a job or funding, etc. Will they be available?
15. I need my student loan, scholarships and bursary money to pay my rent and other expenses. Will services be open?
16. I am an international student. How will the strike affect me? Could my study permit be affected as a result of the strike?
17. How will I get to campus? Will buses be running? Will parking be available?
18. How do I cross a picket line?
19. What should I do if my way is blocked?
20. What happens if I see or experience inappropriate behaviour on a picket line?
21. Campus Security
22. There is an external event booked at the College that I would like to attend. Will this event go ahead if there is a strike?
23. Will the gym and weight room be open during a strike?
24. I am an online student. Will my classes continue during a strike?

1. Will students be able to do homework and assignments at the campus, or will campuses be closed to everyone during job action?

   The main door at most campuses may be open for limited hours.

2. Will computers and the internet be available during job action.

   Computer lab 2-313 at the Prince George campus is open and wireless internet is operational.

3. How will job action or a strike affect me? Will classes be held?

   The College has suspend all normal services at all campuses, as we do not have the resources to maintain services adequately and safely for students and the public during job action. If the job action is for an extended period, the provision of some services will be reviewed and this information updated.

   The Faculty Association of the College of New Caledonia has decided to honour the union's picket line and not attend work. Therefore, the College’s programs and classes have been curtailed.

4. Will the examination period proceed as scheduled in the event of a strike or job action?

   Yes, we anticipate that the examination periods, scheduled for the coming weeks, will proceed as planned. Please confirm with your instructor or dean once classes have resumed. If there are any adjustments or changes to the examination schedule, check this website.

5. Will Contract Training and Continuing Education courses continue at each campus, and what courses will be cancelled or rescheduled?

   Until we know what the anticipated length of job action is, we do not know if evening courses will need to be rescheduled. Please confirm with your instructor once classes resume. Every effort will be made to phone each Contract Training contact (usually your employer) or individual Continuing Education student on days affected by job action, so that we can update you. Otherwise, please watch this website for updated information on whether your campus is open and CE courses and programs are running.

6. What are my responsibilities as a student?

   As a student you are required to inform yourself of your rights and responsibilities and to keep apprised of information related to the changing nature of the job action. It is essential that you check this website regularly.

   Students are responsible for fulfilling course requirements. You are responsible for talking to your instructor after job action concerning material missed and for making alternative arrangements with the instructor for missed assignment deadlines, tests or examinations.

7. How will I know if my class is being offered each day?

   The College will post updated information on class cancellations and scheduling on this website. CUPE Local 4951 has indicated that job action will remain until Wednesday Nov. 21 at 11 pm. We are hopeful that classes will resume at regular times on Thursday. Please check back for updates.

8. What happens if my class is cancelled? How will my academic performance be evaluated?

   The College will make every effort to minimize the impact of job action on students. Disruptions of a few days will not affect the semester schedule. If classes are disrupted by job action for more than a few days, the College will review the semester schedule and exam schedule and make changes as needed so students can complete their semester. Any schedule adjustments would be posted on the College web site.

9. Are the academic standards different for students who choose to cross a picket line and those who don’t?

   No, there is no difference in academic standards.

10. Will there be picket lines? What should I expect when I approach a picket line? Should I cross a picket line?

    There are picket lines at the college and we expect them to be in place until 11 pm on Wednesday Nov. 21. It is a personal decision whether or not to cross the picket line. Picketing is intended to persuade individuals not to cross a picket line. Picketers do not have the right to stop individuals crossing the picket line, only to persuade them not to cross.

    Picketers are legally permitted to carry signs and distribute information for the purposes of communicating the nature of their dispute, and to ask anyone to honour their picket line. Picketers are not legally permitted to threaten, either verbally or physically, those who cross their picket line or to obstruct in any manner an entrance or exit as would limit free passage to the college. No one should cross a picket line if they feel intimidated or unsafe.

11. Who do I talk to if I have concerns about my academic situation because of strike-related action?

    Students should attempt to resolve their concern directly with the Dean, Associate Dean, Regional Director or Associate Regional Director responsible for their program.

12. My children are in the College Daycare (either Prince George or Burns Lake). Will the child care facilities remain open?

    College day care facilities have suspended service due to picket lines. CUPE Local 4951 has indicated the lines will remain until Wednesday at 11 p.m. Therefore, we are hopeful the day care will reopen on Thursday at the regular time. Please check back for updates.

13. How can I pay my tuition fees during any job action? Will the College refund my money for classes missed due to the strike?

    The college has extended the fee payment deadline to Friday Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. for the January semester for Prince George students. Students are strongly encouraged to use online fee payment as available to pay tuition fees (use the CNCConnect button at cnc.bc.ca).

14. I need my grades, transcript or other documentation for applications to graduate, or to apply for a job or funding, etc. Will they be available?

    During job action no services for grades, transcripts and other documentation will be available. Services will resume as soon as possible after the strike, and the Admission Office will make these services a priority as we recognize that they affect your life and future.

15. I need my student loan, scholarships and bursary money to pay my rent and other expenses. Will services be open?

    During job action that affects the Financial Aid department no services will be available at any campus. Should the job action extend beyond a couple of days, check this website for information on how we can assist you in accessing your loan, scholarship or bursary.

16. I am an international student. How will the strike affect me? Could my study permit be affected as a result of the strike?

    The College has no reason to believe that your legal status in British Columbia will be affected by job action or a strike. When you apply to renew your study permit, the government looks at your registration status in the College you attend. Because students remain registered in their classes during any job action or strike, your status remains the same. The reapplication process does not indicate whether or not you are physically present in your College classrooms.

    Work permits and student visas will not be directly affected by job action or a strike. These immigration documents remain valid and the regulations governing them stay in effect (i.e. students with off-campus work permits are limited to working no more than 20 hours per week, must be registered full time, etc.).

17. How will I get to campus? Will buses be running? Will parking be available?

    In the event of job action you should expect to experience delays if you choose to come onto campus, particularly if you are driving. You may wish to consider taking the bus instead of driving your vehicle.

    In the event of a strike, buses will likely not cross picket lines; you will be dropped at or near designated entrances and will have to walk onto campus. You may also find that there are alternative routes onto campus that are not impeded. Parking facilities on campus will remain open.

18. How do I cross a picket line?

    Picketers can be in an emotional state and may act out of character. Take extra care to avoid confrontation. If the atmosphere seems unsafe you may want to consider turning around and leaving the area. When crossing the picket line:

    • Proceed carefully - do not rush.
    • Be prepared to identify yourself.
    • Do not become embroiled in discussion.
    • Do not antagonize.
    • Do not respond to threats or taunts.
    • Do not cross the line more often than necessary.
    • If confronted, please identify why you are accessing the College.

    You are not required to stop to explain why you are crossing the line; however, if explaining is less confrontational, then do so without unduly delaying yourself. Should a picketer insist on searching your vehicle, refuse politely, proceed carefully and notify the Director of Human Resources at 250-561-5828.

19. What should I do if my way is blocked?

    If you are prevented from crossing a picket line, you must not try to force your way in or out. We recommend the following:

    • Attempt to speak politely and factually to the picketers or picket captain and explain your legal right to cross the picket line.
    • If the picketers do not respond and continue to block your way, ask for their names, withdraw and phone the Director of Human Resources at 250-561-5828 for instructions.
    • If the picketer and/or picket captain will not give their names, note the date, time, exact location and a description of the picketer/picket captain, and then withdraw.
    • Attempt to enter the College via another entrance. If this is again unsuccessful, repeat the previous step and phone the Director of Human Resources.
    • Complete a Strike Incident Report Form as soon as you can after the incident and fax it to the Director of Human Resources at 250-561-5864.

20. What happens if I see or experience inappropriate behaviour on a picket line?

    We do not anticipate that there will be difficulties of this kind at CNC. However, if you witness or experience inappropriate behaviour such as intimidation or vandalism, call the Director of Human Resources at 250-561-5828. Take note of the time of the incident, descriptions of people involved and what actions were taken, so that you can provide as much detail as possible on the Strike Incident Report Form.

    If the situation warrants police attention, call 911 and then Campus Security. The Director, Human Resources must also be notified of the situation.

21. Campus Security

    In the event of a strike, campus security services will continue. We anticipate that staff will continue to lock and unlock certain buildings in order to provide access.

22. There is an external event booked at the College that I would like to attend. Will this event go ahead despite the strike?

    All events scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 20 and Wednesday Nov. 21 at CNC have been suspended.

23. Will the gym and weight room be open during a strike?

    None of these services will be available during strike action.

24. I am an online student. Will my classes continue during a strike?

    Online courses are not considered any different from face-to-face classes, so will likely be disrupted by a job action. You will still have access to your course material on Moodle, but your instructor may not respond to your online coursework until the strike has been resolved. Moodle technical support will also be unavailable during this time. Check Moodle for notices and announcements.