College faculty across Ontario take step towards labour disruption in January

Students at Ontario colleges enter their winter break under a cloud of uncertainty after the union representing faculty members raised the stakes at the bargaining table.

A possible labour disruption might disrupt the return to class in January.

On Oct. 1, the contract expired for 15,000 full-time and part-time college faculty across the province represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

At the union’s request, the Ministry of Labour has issued a No-Board report that paves the way for labour disruption and picket lines as early as Jan. 4.

According to OPSEU, its key priorities at the bargaining table remain:

• no concessions
• better wages
• end to unpaid labour
• enhanced job security

In response to the No Board report, the College Employer Council (CEC) writes, “We hope there will be no strike. Only the union controls whether it will call for a strike. The CEC is committed to finding a solution to negotiations that will not impact students.”

Colleges are under financial pressure after the federal government slashed the number of international students admitted to Canada each year.

OPSEU argues that the demands placed on its members in recent years does not reflect the workload formula developed 40 years ago.

On Dec. 29 OPSEU will be in a position to notify Ontario’s colleges if it intends to strike on January 4.

The next scheduled dates for mediation are not until Jan. 6 and 7.