Framing the result as a victory against a provincial “privatization agenda,” the union for Ontario’s 10,000 college support staff has reached a tentative agreement, ending a strike that lasted nearly five weeks.
A tentative agreement has been reached for more than 10,000 full-time college support staff, ending a strike that lasted nearly five weeks at Lambton College and 23 other public colleges across Ontario. As we covered in our story yesterday, local union members had been fighting primarily for job security and were planning to picket outside MPP Bob Bailey's office today.
According to a press release from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO), picket lines will come down today, and staff are scheduled to return to work on Thursday, October 16.
“After months of intensive negotiations with an incredibly difficult employer, the gains made in this agreement would not have been possible without members holding strong these last weeks,” said Christine Kelsey, chair of the union’s bargaining team. “We had no choice but to fight back amidst a plan to privatize public education, as well as 10,000 job losses and over 650 program cuts across the system.”
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick praised the striking workers for their resolve.
“Full-time college support staff took on a tremendous fight, and I’m incredibly proud of our members for getting us to this moment,” said Hornick. “Now, we need to keep building on that momentum and show Ontario what is possible when working people stand together.”
The union framed the outcome as a broader victory for public education.
“We’ve won more than a contract,” added Kelsey. “After being out in our communities, day after day, the public now understands that our college system is being deliberately defunded as part of the collateral of Ford’s devastating privatization agenda.”
The press release also took aim at the provincial government, citing corporate college audits that the union says "paint an alarming vision for Ontario’s colleges – including plans for further cutbacks, automation, outsourcing, and mergers." The union also criticized the government's Skills Development Fund (SDF), alleging it has been misused for "multi-million dollar corporate handouts," including to companies linked to Progressive Conservative Party lobbyists.
“We’re going to keep exposing Ford’s web of corporate buddies and corrupt backroom deals,” said Hornick. “This fight is about the future of public education, and it’s just beginning.”
