Faculty at Ontario’s publicly funded colleges could be in a position to strike early in 2025 after their union requested a no board report from the Ministry of Labour this week. The move comes just days after both sides had agreed to resume mediation sessions in early January.
The College Employer Council (CEC), which bargains on behalf of the province’s 24 public colleges, said the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) had previously agreed to continue mediation on January 6 and 7, 2025. Instead, it requested a no board report, which can trigger a strike deadline.
“A strike at Ontario’s colleges is wholly unnecessary and causes uncertainty and disruption for students and faculty in a time of financial instability,” said Graham Lloyd, chief executive officer of the CEC. He said the council’s aim is “to keep our students learning and faculty in the classroom,” and that it had initially proposed binding arbitration.
OPSEU’s bargaining team has not publicly explained its decision. The union’s stated demands include reducing faculty class time by about one quarter, according to the CEC. “This move from the academic bargaining team is deeply disappointing, especially at a time when students are busy studying for exams,” said Dr. Laurie Rancourt, who chairs the management bargaining team.
The CEC said OPSEU’s demands would add more than $1 billion in annual costs. It said these changes come at a time when colleges are facing declining enrolment, rising costs, and, in some cases, suspended academic programs and staff reductions.
The CEC said it remains committed to reaching a settlement that avoids interrupting student learning, and is urging the union to reconsider its position.