OPINION AND EDITORIAL Student pickets with OC workers By Nicolina Leone leon0080@algonquincollege.com
Rachelle Kenny has a very different perspective on the transit strike.
During the past few weeks, Kenny, a police foundations student, has joined her father, Bruce Kenny, an OC Transpo mechanic, picketing across the road from the college at 100 Constellation Dr.
“I can't always make it or don't stay there the whole time because I do have classes but I do for about two hours before class. It's good support. I know they all appreciate it and I am supporting my dad,” she said.
Kenny also said it’s hard to hear some of the things that the public and students say.
“Most of them are completely unaware of the true reasons why they are even striking and see it only as an inconvenience to them. The media has not helped the matter with, what I feel, is taking the City of Ottawa's side. I do 100 per cent see why people are angry. I am one of those people too. I’m not sure how many times I have called my employer saying I’m going to be late or I just can't make it in.”
Kenny tries to inform some of the students that ask her about the strike, but she says they tend not to really listen. “Maybe because they have already made up their mind and don't want to hear it, I’m not sure.”
She is also worried for her father and the others on strike. “It’s really scary to hear what some of these students are saying, like they are ‘going to spit in their face’, they are ‘going to punch them’, ‘yell at them’ etcetera. I don't understand how people could be so hateful. These are people who have jobs just like anyone else and it is their right to strike. I only hope that people will see that and choose not to do all of these hateful acts.” |
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