Since Aug. 30, the Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been on strike against Western University. The strike aims to secure a fair wage and ensure adequate staffing to properly maintain Western University’s campus. As a result, parts of Oxford Street, Lambton Drive, University Drive, and Huron Drive have been closed for safety reasons during the strike.
To the general public, the protests may be seen as an inconvenience. The shutdowns have disrupted daily routines, causing delays on major roads in London. Students, in particular, feel the impact, as the protests began close to the start of the school year, putting additional pressure on the administration to address the issues.
To better understand the effects of the strike, Western University students were asked about their experiences. One student expressed support for the protests, saying:
“I think it’s great for them. I really hope they get what they need. It’s great to see the support on the street. I really hope they can achieve their goal because it’s definitely something that’s super important. They do a lot for Western and all of our buildings.”
Students have observed the peaceful nature of the protests, and for those students that 106.9 the x interviewed, the cause seems to outweigh the inconvenience of the road closures. One student commented:
“It can be frustrating, but I do think it’s really important. In the long run, it’s not really that big of a deal.”
The Western students that 106.9 the x spoke to are showing empathy for the situation and hope that CUPE and Western University can reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.
