The College Employer Council proposed binding mediation and arbitration to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union after the union set a potential strike date of Sept. 11 for full-time support staff at the province’s 24 public colleges.
OPSEU requested a “No Board Report” from the Ministry of Labour, which legally allows the union representing support staff to strike as early as next month, according to the College Employer Council.
Colleges cite financial pressures
The council said a strike would disrupt student learning when colleges face their biggest financial crisis in decades.
“A strike jeopardizes student learning and is unnecessary at this time when colleges face their biggest financial crisis in decades,” said Graham Lloyd, chief executive officer of the council.
Lloyd said arbitration would avoid disruption to students and staff while addressing demands either party considers unworkable.
Union demands exceed $900 million
OPSEU’s collective demands exceed $900 million for colleges, according to the council. The union this week proposed language to prohibit full-time support staff layoffs and campus closures for the life of the collective agreement, the council said.
“These demands are not realistic and would devastate the public college system,” Lloyd said. “Strike or no strike, these types of demands will never be viable for colleges.”
Previous arbitration used for faculty
The council said mediation and arbitration is commonly used in the college sector to reach collective agreements. The parties used this process in June to conclude a collective agreement for faculty, according to the council.
The College Employer Council serves as the government-mandated bargaining agent for Ontario’s 24 publicly funded colleges in negotiations with unionized staff.
