Renovations seem to be an ongoing project for Mohawk and with each step the college moves closer to attaining their goals of sustainability. Some of the changes are a little less noticeable than others as lighting is replaced, bathroom fixtures are retrofitted and fans blow recycled air around the halls. These changes have been eight years in the making and are credited for an estimated $400,000 worth in future annual savings, with untold amounts of energy being saved in the process.
“What we chose to do was go after all the stuff that would…

After 18 days, a tentative settlement has been reached to end Ontario’s college support staff strike.
Following two days of bargaining by negotiators, the deal was struck late Sunday night.
Rob Bemister, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team, said the union secured key contract proposals for its members and hopes all members will approve the tentative deal.
Over 8,000 college support workers will be returning to work Sept. 20.
Details are expected to be released after the settlement has been approved, which a date has not been set for.

It goes without saying – the support staff on strike has posed a unique set of challenges for Mohawk College. With the theoretical ball being left behind by the strikers, part-time and administrative staff have teamed up with students to keep the game in play.
Some big names in the college have been found helping out wherever possible.
“I even saw [Mohawk College] President Rob MacIsaac [helping out] in the OSAP office one of the days,” said Andy Hall, MSA’s Vice President.
Meanwhile over in The Square, Jay Robb, Director of Media Relations for…

Students are keeping their fingers as strikers go back to the bargaining table. The Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) has adjusted their demands, causing the mediator for the strike to pass the message to school management. This could possibly allow talks to continue as early as Sept. 17.
The main sticking point in this strike is the three per cent wage increase, and job security that the union is asking for.
“By modifying our demands on wages and retiree benefits, we demonstrated our commitment to the bargaining process and the students to return…

After nearly two weeks of delays, the newly renovated Arnie may soon be open for business.
The Arnie was scheduled to open on three different dates, including this past Wednesday. Each of these cancellations were due to problems with the flooring.
President of the Mohawk Students Association, Daniel Clark, says there was an oily film on the floor, making it extremely slippery and unsafe for students.
“Honestly, it was like a skating rink in there,” Clark said. “A wet sheet of ice.”
As a solution to this problem, the flooring company has decided to…

Future Mohawk students may have even more debt before graduating as plans for a brand new athletics facility gets underway.
“[The MSA] has been talking with the college and athletics committee and the college has decided that this is the next step in our renovations in order to stay current and competitive with other colleges,” says MSA President Dan Clark.
The estimated cost of the new facility is $17 million and will be partly subsidized by an undetermined fee once the facility is completed in 2014.
Three years ago the MSA held a referendum…

Usually this time of year the Mohawk Sports Park is full of varsity athletes playing rugby, soccer and fastball.
This season, however, the park sits empty. A college support-staff strike means some of these athletes may be looking at a lost season. Many games have already been postponed and no one knows what the future holds.
“We have such a short season already that I’m concerned how many games we’re going to have to be playing to make up for those extra games that have already been postponed,” said fastball pitcher Jessica Denstedt.
Michelle…

Dear Mohawk College Students,
As of the writing of this message, there is a support staff strike across the province.
Although the front line support staff have gone on a legal strike, management and contract employees will be attempting to keep the college open. Classes and Orientation will continue as planned.
The Mohawk Students’ Association is in constant contact with college management and we ask you to monitor www.mohawkSTUDENTS.ca to keep up to date on the strike.
Picket Lines
Please understand that you will be required to cross a picket line to get on…