After a duration exceeding one month on the strike line, about 10,000 support personnel at the 24 public colleges in Ontario have come to a tentative agreement with their employer, as announced by the union representing them on Wednesday. The college support workers, including roles like librarian technicians, registrar employees, and technology support staff, commenced their strike on September 11, citing job security and college funding as primary issues. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) stated in a news release that the staff is set to resume work on Thursday, with plans to review the specifics of the new deal and conduct a vote for its ratification.
Christine Kelsey, leading the union’s negotiating team, refrained from disclosing the specifics of the agreement but emphasized the necessity of the strike to combat a move towards privatizing public education, along with concerns over substantial job losses and numerous program cutbacks across the system. Kelsey acknowledged the significant efforts of the members during the challenging negotiations with the employer, highlighting the gains achieved through their steadfastness in recent weeks.
The College Employer Council (CEC) mentioned in a statement that a private mediation session held over the weekend successfully resolved a bargaining deadlock. The employer confirmed that although the tentative deal must be ratified by November 4, the strike activities will cease during this period.
Expressing gratitude for the imminent return of the support staff, CEC CEO Graham Lloyd emphasized their crucial role in the colleges’ operations and their contribution to student success. Negotiations between OPSEU and the CEC, representing publicly funded colleges in the province, commenced in June following the expiration of the previous contract in September, leading to the strike by over 10,000 workers due to concerns over job and program cuts.
The union’s stance was fueled by fears of extensive layoffs, advocating for job security and adequate funding for public colleges. The CEC had previously deemed the union’s demands, which included safeguards against college closures, campus mergers, and staff layoffs, financially unfeasible amidst a significant decline in college enrollments and revenues.
In the latest release on Wednesday, the union accused Premier Doug Ford’s government, though not directly involved in the negotiations, of inadequately funding Ontario’s public college system. Kelsey emphasized that beyond securing a contract, the strike helped raise public awareness about the deliberate defunding of the college system as part of the government’s privatization agenda.