Over 10,000 full-time college support staff in Ontario have reached a tentative agreement with their employer, ending a nearly five-week strike, the union announced on Wednesday.
The deal, following months of negotiations, applies to employees at all 24 public colleges in the province. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) members will assess the agreement details today, and staff are set to return to work tomorrow.
Christine Kelsey, head of the union’s negotiation team, praised the members for their determination in securing the agreement.
“After intense negotiations with a challenging employer, the progress in this agreement is a result of our members’ resilience over the past weeks,” Kelsey stated. “We had to take a stand against the privatization of public education, potential job losses, and program cuts.”
The union leaders depicted the strike as a part of a broader struggle for the future of Ontario’s college system, accusing the government of undermining public education.
The three-year agreement entails wage increases, improved benefits, and job security provisions, highlighted by OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick.
Hornick commended the staff for their dedication during the strike, emphasizing the impact of collective action.
“Through a significant effort, our members have paved the way for this moment,” Hornick remarked. “Now, we must continue to rally and showcase the potential of unity among working individuals.”
The strike, which began in early September, disrupted various services within the college network, ranging from student support to technical assistance. The picket lines are set to be dismantled immediately, with ratification votes scheduled in the upcoming days.
“We have achieved more than a mere contract,” Kelsey emphasized. “By engaging with the public daily, we have shed light on the deliberate defunding of our college system within Ford’s privatization strategy.”