Hundreds of workers on strike and their allies gathered outside Mohawk College in Hamilton and various other provincial colleges on Thursday morning to push their employers following the breakdown of negotiations earlier in the week.
Workers from Niagara College, Sheridan College, and Conestoga College, alongside members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 241, marched and displayed signs advocating for job security at Mohawk’s Fennell Avenue W. campus.
Local 241 president, Susan Lau, expressed gratitude for the strong support received during the rally, noting the positive morale among the picketers, which included workers from different unions, members of the public, and college students offering encouragement.
Approximately 10,000 full-time college support staff from 24 public colleges across Ontario have been on strike since September 11, primarily emphasizing the need to safeguard jobs amid widespread layoffs and program cuts in the past year.
Christine Kelsey, chair of the College Support Full-time Bargaining Team and union local president at Algonquin College, highlighted the essential roles of support staff within colleges and the necessity for contractual protections against outsourcing and managerial encroachment on bargaining unit tasks.
The College Employer Council (CEC), representing colleges in negotiations, and OPSEU engaged in three days of mediation, with both parties accusing each other of impeding progress towards a resolution. The CEC argued that OPSEU’s demands on contracting out work are unfeasible and could disrupt college operations, a stance rejected by Kelsey, who urged for constructive negotiations to preserve jobs.
The coordinated picketing aimed to exert pressure on college administrations to address these concerns, leading to class suspensions at Mohawk’s Fennell campus for safety reasons, prompting the relocation of most classes online.
Lau emphasized the strike’s impact and success in raising awareness, acknowledging the challenges faced by students and underscoring the importance of their collective effort in defending the education system and securing their livelihoods.
As the union continues its battle to protect jobs amidst ongoing challenges faced by colleges, Kelsey stressed the significance of public support and solidarity in safeguarding vital community institutions and the crucial roles played by support staff.
