Students worry college strike could cost them jobs

Students at Algonquin College are worried they will spend summer in the classroom instead of on the job, losing out on much-needed employment income.

Faculty at the college have now been on the picket line for three weeks.

The President of Algonquin, Cheryl Jensen, sent out a letter on Thursday saying the current fall term could end up being extended into the winter, depending on how long the strike goes on.

That could potentially bump the next term into the summer of 2018.

"If we go into the summer I am not going to be able to keep my commitment to both of my jobs,"saidpublic relations student Neikko Burrell.

Burrell has two jobs lined up for the summer to help pay for tuition, one at a retail store and another working at a food truck for his mother.

If he can't work both jobs, he said hewill have to borrow more money.

Burrellis already frustrated he's paying for an education he's not getting right now.

It's not clear how or whether students will be reimbursed for tuition, according to Algonquin College President Cheryl Jensen. She has saidthe colleges expect direction from the province with regard to refunds.

High-pressure situation

Nursing studentMbambu Kitambala is worried that when the strike ends she and other students will be asked to make up for time lost and have to do clinicial work on weekends, something she says would mean giving up her jobin the dining hall at the University of Ottawa.

"It's not good.It's not good for me at all," she said."I need to work.I need that money to survive."

For Heba Alzrifi, whoarrived in Canada two years ago from Syria with her husband and three children, including a baby, the possible extension of the school into the summer presents childcare issues for her family.

If she was forced to go to school this summer, she said the family would have to consider cancelling a trip and she would need to find childcare for her kids.

The strike has becomewhat she calls a "high-pressure situation," she said.

"It's so confusing for me. I've missed three weeks. I'm thinking how could I catch up?"

In the meantime she istrying to stay optimistic.

"I hope they will solve it as soon as possible and we can have our regular schedule back.I need these skills inmy future work, to get a job," she said.