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The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario launched a major campaign at Guelph University on April 6, 2009. CUPE Ontario was represented by Antoni Shelton and Janice Folk-Dawson, chair of CUPE’s Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee (OUWCC). The Guelph District Labour Council and the OFL were represented by Terry O’Connor. The representatives of the Canadian Federation of Students were represented by Cailey Campell, and Arden Hagedorn who spoke about the growing use of food banks by the students at Guelph. In turn the speakers also addressed the underfunding of universities, a problem since the early 1990s. They spoke up against , flat-lined provincial funding transfers to Ontario universities, University administrators that seek solutions in privatization and staff cuts, and the Province of Ontario’s refusal to take the opportunity to adequately fund post secondary education as an economic stimulus measure.
The CAW Flying Squad was there in solidarity with the University students and workers. Hardcore Union music was performed by activist musicians Anne Feeney and Joey Only, who went from the Guelph rally to play the Steelworkers picket line in Hamilton. Students took the opportunity to send their messages via helium balloons to the police protected administrators watching from the upper floors.
On April 6th, 2009, CUPE Ontario and the OUWCC drew the line, and had a good time !
