Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones has called on Premier Dalton McGuinty to order an immediate end to the strike that has left York University students without classes since early November.

"It has been almost three months since CUPE 3903, which represents York University employees, has gone on strike. Since that date, the two sides have been unable to reach a settlement at the bargaining table," she said in a statement released Wednesday after the premier appointed a provincial mediator to help resolve the dispute.

"I have received hundreds of e-mails from concerned York students and their families who want to see this issue resolved. The longer this goes on, the more it jeopardizes students and their futures. I have heard from students who depend on summer employment to pay their tuition, but will not have a summer break to earn money if the semester is lengthened," she said.

"Some graduating students are preparing graduate school applications, but may not be accepted because they do not have grades to present to schools.

"For the sake of 50,000 students, this has to end now."

"It's obvious that Dalton McGuinty and his government don't appreciate the impact and severe consequences their inaction is having on students," PC Leader John Tory said in a press release. "Ontario's socalled

'Education Premier' must finally do the right thing and recall the Legislature immediately. York students deserve nothing less."