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Sit-in at SFU over lockout

A group of students occupied the Simon Fraser Student Society board room at SFU's Burnaby campus on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

A group of students occupied the Simon Fraser Student Society board room at SFU's Burnaby campus on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The stunt was the latest in an ongoing labour dispute between the student society and its unionized support staff, who have been locked out since July.

"It really shows students are tired of this lockout, tired of not having our services," said SFU student Chelsea Mackay. The sit-in started with eight participants, but Mackay said it grew to 30 at one point.

The locked-out support staff handle a number of student services, including the women's centre and Out On Campus, a safe space for queer students and their allies. Some board members have been allowed to keep the spaces open, but Mackay said students have to cross pickets lines to get in.

Society president Jeff McCann was not available for immediate comment.

Mackay said the students will hold more events if the lockout doesn't end.

jmoreau@burnabynow.com