The union representing thousands of support staff at Ontario’s colleges says its members have voted in favour of authorizing a strike, if necessary, as contract talks continue.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) announced Friday that 77.3 per cent of members supported the strike authorization, giving the bargaining team what it called a “historic strike mandate” as it returns to conciliation talks on Wednesday.
Union president JP Hornick said the vote reflects workers’ determination to “secure respect at the bargaining table” and reach a fair contract.
The College Employer Council, which bargains on behalf of Ontario’s publicly funded colleges, did not directly respond to the strike mandate but referred to earlier statements. It has argued the union’s demands could cost colleges more than $900 million, pointing to proposals such as six additional paid days off and 10 paid days off for family care.
OPSEU has accused the council of exaggerating those costs. The union also says that nearly 10,000 faculty and staff have lost their jobs—or are expected to—since last year amid widespread program cuts and suspensions.
An arbitrated faculty contract released last month acknowledged the federal government’s cap on international student enrolment has driven a steep drop in tuition revenue, contributing to what the council describes as the worst financial crisis Ontario colleges have faced in decades.
In a statement this week, the College Employer Council said a strike would be “unnecessary” and would not make the union’s “unrealistic demands” affordable.
Conciliation talks between the two sides are scheduled to resume August 20.
