Daily News

Posted on March 2: Message to McMaster community regarding possible OPSEU strike

There is a possibility of a strike by full-time faculty of Mohawk College, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU), as early as Wednesday, March 3, 2004. In this event, there may be picketing activity on McMaster's campus, particularly at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences (IAHS), a facility that is jointly operated by Mohawk College and McMaster University. As this may affect McMaster students, staff and faculty, this message is to inform you of McMaster's plans in this regard. All of Ontario's community colleges conduct collective bargaining negotiations centrally with OPSEU, representing the full-time college faculty, including full-time librarians and counselors of all the colleges. Continued negotiations are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, March 1 and 2, and all parties are committed to trying to reach a settlement without a strike.

Posted on Feb. 27: McMaster collaboration explores what war teaches

Within the horrors of war and violence, sometimes hope, perseverance and strength are born. That's the message of a one-day event "War Taught Me", taking place at McMaster on Monday. The workshops, dinner, performance and reception are the collaborative effort of a 12-member committee representing eight campus organizations focused on promoting peace, raising awareness, and making a difference to the victims of war. "Education isn't just about expanding our understanding, but about making a practical commitment to improve things," says Elisabeth Gedge, an associate professor of philosophy and women's studies. "It's a means of advocating for communities beyond our own." In addition to raising awareness of the effects of war, the group hopes to raise $750 at a potluck dinner, enough to support a teacher in Afghanistan for one year. "One huge implication of the violence in Afghanistan was that women were cut off from education and opportunity," says Gedge. "Afghanistan's women are working to reverse this damage, and our committee wants to use this event to support their efforts as well as raising awareness of their situation."