Public College Support Staff in Ontario Continue Strike Amid Job Security Concerns
Support staff at public colleges in Ontario are standing strong on picket lines for another week as negotiations with the College Employer Council (CEC) hit a standstill.
The strike, impacting 10,000 workers province-wide, persists following unsuccessful mediation attempts earlier this week.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) expressed disappointment, accusing the CEC of blocking advancements on job security issues crucial to the striking workers.
Christine Kelsey, chair of the full-time support staff bargaining team, emphasized the importance of safeguarding jobs amidst recent layoffs within the system. She criticized the employer’s proposals for lacking substantial job protection measures.
The union raised concerns about privatization efforts within the college system, highlighting Georgian College’s decision to close campuses in Orillia and Muskoka as a troubling example.
Asserting that the privatization agenda jeopardizes workers and communities, Kelsey stressed the need for a fair transition that prioritizes the well-being of employees and college areas.
With picket lines maintained at all 24 public colleges in Ontario, the support staff’s strike continues without a specified return-to-work date.