A crowd of around 250 demonstrators gathered at Centennial College’s Progress Campus in Scarborough, setting up picket lines in a show of protest as negotiations stalled between the school’s representatives and the workers’ union.
The picketers, stationed near Progress Road and Highway 401, caused road closures in the vicinity and led to TTC bus diversions on two routes, impacting the local area.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) spokesperson expressed disappointment in the lack of progress, stating that discussions hit a roadblock when the employer and College Presidents refused to include job security provisions in the talks, leading to an impasse.
According to OPSEU, the strike is occurring against the backdrop of extensive job cuts in the province, with numerous college workers laid off, programs suspended, and campus closures announced, posing a significant threat to the entire college system.
On the other side, the College Employer Council (CEC) criticized OPSEU for causing disruptions, claiming that the union’s actions prioritize its own agenda over the needs of students.
CEC, responsible for bargaining on behalf of Ontario’s publicly funded colleges, expressed frustration over what they perceive as the union’s regressive bargaining tactics, accusing OPSEU of jeopardizing the progress made during negotiations.
The dispute centers on proposals such as limiting outsourcing and restricting certain communications between deans and students, with CEC arguing that these demands could impede college operations and hinder student services.
As the strike continues, both sides remain at odds, with further demonstrations expected across college campuses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the coming days.