Student union leaders are calling on the provincial government to get college administrators and striking faculty back to the negotiating table to resolve ongoing labour troubles.

In a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne and other members of the Ontario legislature, the Sheridan Student Union (SSU), which represents students at campuses in Brampton and Mississauga, expressed “deep disappointment and frustration” at the state of negotiations between the Ontario Public Sector Employees Union, which represents the 12,000 striking college workers, and the College Employer Council (CEC) that has stretched almost four week.

Even with a possible resolution next week — faculty will vote on a final contract offer from the CEC — the organization voiced concerns that thousands of students risk losing out on an entire semester if the dispute stretches on.

While student leaders said they not taking sides in the strike, they are urging both parties to reach a resolution.

“Now in its fourth week, the college labour impasse puts students’ academic pursuits at risk, negatively impacts their student experience and brings forward many concerns for the health and well-being of our students. It is imperative that students have access to counsellors to support their well-being, and to their faculty so that they may continue to pursue their learning outcomes,” reads the letter.

About 21,000 Sheridan students have been impacted by the strike. The strike affects more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges across the province.

Enrique Ponce, Sheridan Student Union president, delivered a “call to action” urging Sheridan students to "demand Premier Kathleen Wynne must intervene if the strike continues."

“We believe Sheridan College students should be in the classroom, and despite a scheduled vote next week, this dispute has continued on for an increasingly dangerous amount of time. Any barriers to students being in Ontario College classrooms should be addressed immediately. Since we have been reassured that no Ontario College student has ever lost their semester to a strike action, we call on Premier Kathleen Wynne to ensure that this goal is met.”

Sheridan Students are encouraged to visit www.hearourside.ca for more information.

Advanced Education Minister Deb Matthews has said the government wants to see students return to the classroom as quickly as possible.