Ontario college support workers secure tentative agreement ending month-long strike
After a month-long strike, around 10,000 support workers at Ontario’s public colleges have reached a tentative agreement with their employer. The union representing these workers, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), announced the development on Wednesday. Workers had been on strike since September 11, advocating for job security and increased funding for their colleges.
Tentative Agreement Details
The college support workers, which include librarian technicians and technology support staff, are now set to return to their duties on Thursday. Following this, they will review the terms of the new agreement and vote on its ratification. Although specific details of the deal have not been disclosed, OPSEU’s bargaining chair, Christine Kelsey, emphasized the importance of the strike. She noted that it was essential to fight against potential privatization plans and significant job cuts.
Key Issues Faced by Workers
- Job security concerns due to potential privatization
- Over 10,000 job losses reported
- More than 600 program cuts across the public college system
Kelsey stated that the negotiations, although challenging, yielded gains that were only possible through the united efforts of the union members. The College Employer Council (CEC) credited a recent private mediation session for breaking the deadlock, paving the way for the agreement.
Government Accountability and Future Steps
Ratification of the tentative agreement must occur by November 4. Meanwhile, picketing will cease as workers return to their roles. CEC’s CEO, Graham Lloyd, acknowledged the vital contributions of support staff to the colleges’ operations and student success.
Amid these developments, OPSEU has called on the provincial government to recognize troubling new data indicating significant job losses at colleges. The union pointed out that, over the past year, college enrolments and revenues have dropped precipitously, with some colleges experiencing declines of up to 50 percent.
Kelsey criticized Premier Doug Ford’s administration for underfunding the public college system, emphasizing the community’s role in understanding these challenges. She asserted that the outcome of the negotiations represents more than just a contract, highlighting the urgent need for appropriate funding to safeguard public education in Ontario.
