As everyone probably knows by now, Osgoode Hall Law School at York University has resumed classes despite the ongoing strike by CUPE 3903.  On top of the obvious controversy a move like this will stir there have been a few surprises.

While I’ve been studying at the Osgoode library the entire time, most Osgoode students haven’t yet felt the surface-level sting of collective action.  They felt it this morning as they braved the long line-ups entering campus for the first time.

Approaching Osgoode itself I noticed a small group of picketers surrounding the building’s entrances.  I assumed they were members of CUPE frustrated by what I can only assume they’d interpret as an insult.  Rather, they weren’t union members at all, but Osgoode students.

A small group of Osgoode students have taken up the cause of criticizing the back-to-class stance of staff, faculty and a majority of their peers.

The powers that be did the best they could to resolve the situation, develop remediation plans, and compromise between the interests of understandably worried students who are ready to get back to work and those who refuse to cross picket lines on principle.  While many have criticized the choice as being unfair and others have lauded it as the ideal remedy, I prefer to maintain that it wasn’t the worst or the best, but the only solution.

There are several bases for the argument made that Osgoode students shouldn’t be “forced” back to class:

• It will further prolong the strike by reducing the university’s incentive to negotiate
• It punishes people for their political beliefs because of the highly competitive nature of law school and the reality that those who choose to go to class will be better off than those who don’t
• The decision-making process was flawed because it was partly based on a flawed student survey

I won’t go into the reasons as to why I might agree or disagree with these stances, because I do both agree and disagree with various aspects.

The purpose of this post is mostly to remind all of the parties involved that Osgoode’s administration is faced with the impossible task of balancing myriad different and opposing interests, and some decisions simply had to be made that are bound to satisfy some and annoy others.

While I would have preferred it if the school didn’t pursue the avenue it did, I concede that their hands were forced and that they did their best to satisfy everyone.  A truly impossible endeavor.