As the strike by nearly 200 full-time support staff at Lambton College enters its fifth week, the union says its primary focus remains on securing stronger job security language in their collective agreement. In an effort to raise awareness, striking members of OPSEU Local 124 plan to move their picket line to MPP Bob Bailey's […]
As the strike by nearly 200 full-time support staff at Lambton College enters its fifth week, the union says its primary focus remains on securing stronger job security language in their collective agreement.
In an effort to raise awareness, striking members of OPSEU Local 124 plan to move their picket line to MPP Bob Bailey's office on Christina Street this Wednesday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"The key issue we’re fighting for is job security," said Jonathan Lawrence, Vice President of OPSEU Local 124. He explained that the union is seeking stronger language to protect against contracting out jobs and preventing managers from performing the work of support staff.
Lawrence said the College Employer Council (CEC) claims existing language offers protection, but he pointed to a clause that creates a loophole. “The very clause they purport to provide protection to workers also immediately provides an exception to itself: ‘However, contracting out to an employer who will employ the employee with comparable terms and conditions of employment is not a breach of this Appendix,’” he stated. "Once those positions are lost to contractors, they are no longer under protection of our Collective Agreement."
Negotiations resumed over the Thanksgiving weekend with a mediator present. Lawrence said the union has made its position clear: "inclusion of job security language in our agreement."
After five weeks on the picket line, Lawrence described the experience as difficult.
"It is difficult to be away from the work that you typically do and care about, and for many of our members it also represents a substantial pay cut," he said, also noting the emotional toll of facing insults from some members of the public. "Being in that environment can absolutely have an impact on morale."
Despite the challenges, he highlighted the strong sense of community among members, who check in with each other and find ways to keep spirits high.
The picket line recently became the site of a widely discussed conflict where a driver drove through a line of picketers after removing traffic cones. Lawrence addressed the incident, stating the cones were a safety measure.
"The premise being: people would sooner avoid hitting the cones than they would avoid hitting our members," he said. "Regrettably, this premise was proven entirely valid in that incident as the driver in question got out of his car to remove the barriers before proceeding forward into our members."
He added, "I would urge anyone and everyone to keep that in mind, and remember that your convenience should not take precedence over our (and everyone’s) safety."
The strike's impact varies, but Lawrence noted that students have raised concerns, particularly around securing co-op placements, as that department consists almost entirely of full-time support staff. Services at the Registrar’s Office and in Information Technology have also seen a "significant reduction in quality," leading to longer wait times.
Lawrence also aimed to clear up what he sees as public misconceptions about the strike. He emphasized that the striking workers are support staff—not faculty—and include lab techs, groundskeepers, academic supports, and student advisors, among many others.
"The other largest misconception I encounter is that we are only striking to get ‘more.’ More money, more benefits, etc.," he said. "The biggest reason we’re on strike, however, is to ensure our collective agreement is strong enough to withstand this latest chapter in the public college system… all the raises, benefits, and improvements to working conditions in the world makes no difference if our members lose their jobs."
The union is picketing MPP Bob Bailey's office to draw attention to what it sees as a larger provincial issue.
"In order to offer continued stability, more provincial funds will have to be dedicated to public education rather than being siphoned away to private sector organisations with little to no oversight," Lawrence stated. "We expect Bob Bailey to speak up for us on the provincial stage, as we would expect any MPP to do for their own community’s colleges."
He concluded with a message for Sarnia-Lambton residents, asking for patience and support.
"Remember that we are your neighbors. We’re part of the same community as you are, and we are fighting to keep it as strong as we can for years to come."
