The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) local president, Kingston Police and the president and CEO of St. Lawrence College are reporting that two pickets were struck by a vehicle on Tuesday afternoon and another on Thursday at the college.

Const. Cam Mack of the Kingston Police said on Thursday that at approximately 1 p.m., a car was in line at the main entrance of the college off Portsmouth Avenue. Witnesses reported the driver was honking his vehicle’s horn and was yelling at faculty on strike.

Grant Currie, president of OPSEU Local 417, told the Whig-Standard that the man, who appeared to be a student, was honking, yelling and screaming at the pickets. As one of the pickets walked in front of his vehicle, it struck her.

“She fell onto the hood of the car,” Currie said. “It was either that or [fall] back and be run over.”

Once the woman was out of the way, the pickets formed a group in front of the car. Currie said the vehicle continued to move forward and then hit him as well. The woman was taken to hospital to be checked but is OK now. Currie is nursing a sore knee but it is getting better.

After Currie was hit, the group dispersed but followed the car as it was driven toward the college. Campus security and Kingston Police were called. Currie said the driver co-operated with police and security.

Mack said they are still investigating, going over evidence including surveillance footage.

Thousands of college faculty, counsellors and librarians have been on strike across the province since Oct. 16 when OPSEU and the College Employer Council failed to agree on a contract. This isn’t the first time a picket has been hit at St. Lawrence College in the past three and a half weeks. On Oct. 26, two members were struck by a pickup truck. At the time, Currie said it wasn’t an isolated incident but had been the worst so far.

Currie said Thursday that the union is voting on the College Employer Council’s latest offer. He said the offer will very likely be turned down.

“Not sure what is going to happen from there,” Currie said.

The president and CEO of St. Lawrence College, Glenn Vollebregt, said in a daily update to students on Thursday that in addition to the faculty member being struck on Tuesday, another was hit on Thursday.

“My messages throughout the strike have consistently reminded everyone to show courtesy and respect for each other,” Vollebregt wrote. “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Remember, we are all part of the SLC community.”

Police reminded residents that people on picket lines are lawfully allowed to share information peacefully to anyone entering or leaving the picketed premises. While driving a vehicle across a picket line, drivers are legally obligated to not endanger the life or safety of any person.

“It’s frustrating,” Currie said, emphasizing how exposed the pickets are. “We’re just trying to communicate our issues. There’s nothing stopping someone from plowing through.

“All we’re asking for is a couple minutes of people’s time and it’s a shame when people are like this.”

scrosier@postmedia.com

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