CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --It’s now day five of a part- time instructor strike at Columbia College Chicago.
Fat Cat and Scabby the Rat, the large inflatables perched on the sidewalk at 600 South Michigan Avenue was encircled by a picket line of unionized part- time instructors outraged at a significant reduction in course offerings at Columbia.
Diana Vallera, Columbia College Faculty Union President called it a blow to their pocket books and to the quality of the student experience.
"These kind of class cuts are going to decimate our part-time faculty," she added.
Vallera told WBBM there were signs that Columbia College was considering the union's proposal, but now indications show otherwise.
"We keep indicating to them that we're ready to do this, but they're still not willing to give us some of the information that we absolutely have to have in order to have a meaningful dialogue, which...that's disappointing."
Columbia officials responded with a statement that the school remains committed to a wide range of small classes and hands-on education offerings, with a future share of those course taught by full-time faculty.
The union has invited Columbia College to a weekend bargaining session. At this time it’s unclear if the invite has been accepted.
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