Northern staff react to Ontario college faculties issuing five-day notice of labour action

College faculty in Ontario gave its five-day notice of starting labour action on Friday, which could include a strike or some other work stoppage at the 24 schools within the province.

That means as college students return from their holiday break they’ll face uncertainty with their studies possibly disrupted as early as next week.

“I am expecting some form of labour action will be required. Does that mean a strike? Not necessarily,” said OPSEU Local 673 President David Fasciano.

“Maybe the pressure in the announcement of a possible strike will be enough to get some movement.”

Fasciano represents 120 members at Collège Boréal in Greater Sudbury.

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There are 15,000 college faculty across Ontario. Workload is their biggest concern with the Ontario Public Service Union (OPSEU) has been trying to address for years.

“The way faculty’s workloads are assigned was determining the 80s. It’s more than 40 years old – with no concept of computers, no concept of online courses and all the extra preparation and things like that,” Fasciano said.

“So, the members across the province, not just at Boréal, have really stood up this time with a very strong strike mandate supporting our bargaining team, saying, you know what? Enough is enough.”

The union requested a No-board report from the Ministry of Labour last month, kickstarting a 16-day cooling off period – which ends tomorrow.

“We remain committed to bargaining productively, as we have over the last six months, but we must also be pragmatic,” said a notice issued Friday to union members.

“If we cannot reach an agreement in mediation, it is unlikely that a deal that protects faculty futures can be reached without the urgency of labour action,” the notice continued.

“… This is not a decision we have made lightly. It is a necessity, forced by the failed stewardship of college executives, CEOs, and out-of-touch politicians eroding quality education and piloting the college system into the present crisis.”

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Two days of non-binding mediation are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week, with the hopes of avoiding a strike.

"Bargaining has been going on for six months now and we’ve seen very little movement from the other side of the table,” said OPSEU Local 655 President Neil Shyminsky.

“This will be the first time where the two sides are meeting at the table and there’s actual consequences potentially if our employer is unwilling to move on any of their positions. So maybe that will get things moving.”

Shyminsky represents 200 faculty at Greater Sudbury’s Cambrian College.

The College Employer Council (CEC) is the bargaining agent for the 24 colleges.

In an email to CTV News, CEO Graham Lloyd said the union’s demands ignore financial realities like declining enrolment, government policy changes and higher costs.

“We cannot accept demands that would jeopardize our students, faculty, and the future of the sector,” he said.

“The CEC remains committed to a solution without interrupting student learning,”

The earlier college faculty could be on the picket line is Jan 9.