Stay up-to-date on the ongoing academic labour relations through the information below and frequently asked questions
Updates
- January 8, 2025
As a follow up to our message on January 6, 2025, we are happy to communicate that we have received confirmation that OPSEU and the College Employer Council have agreed to enter into binding arbitration with full-time and partial-load college professors, instructors, counsellors, and librarians.Classes will continue to run as scheduled and no strike action will occur.
- January 6, 2025
The College has been notified that OPSEU, the union representing full-time and partial load professors, instructors, and counselors, will be in a position to engage in labour action, as of January 9, 2025. At this time the Union has not identified the type of labour action it will take and could include work-to-rule, rotating strikes, or a full walk-out strike. It is important to note that all classes and activities are continuing as scheduled, and the College will continue to communicate directly with you as more information becomes available.- December 19, 2024
As a follow up to our message earlier this week, the Ministry of Labour has issued the ‘No Board Report’ as requested by OPSEU, the union representing full-time professors, instructors, librarians, and counsellors. This means that as of January 4, 2025, the Union will be in a position to engage in labour action, such as a strike, if they choose. It is important to note that this does not mean that labour action will begin on January 4 and all classes and activities are continuing as scheduled. There is the option for mediation or alternative forms of negotiations to continue. Should the union choose to engage in labour action, they must provide the Colleges with five days’ notice and that will be communicated directly to you.
We understand and appreciate the concern this may cause, and we remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached.
- December 16, 2024
The labour relations process is continuing, and currently, the union and the colleges are scheduled for non-binding mediation January 6-7, 2025. OPSEU CAAT-A, the union representing full-time faculty, counsellors and librarians at all Ontario colleges including ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, has requested a No Board Report from the Ministry of Labour. This is one of the conditions required for a work stoppage to occur. While OPSEU has requested a no board report, it has not yet been issued. We expect to hear more on this in the coming week. If/once the report is issued and 16 days have passed, and the union has provided the Colleges with 5 days’ notice, the CAAT-A bargaining team will be in a legal position to initiate a work stoppage. However, we remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached, and all classes and activities are continuing as scheduled.We appreciate and understand that this causes concern. The College is currently developing contingency plans in the event of a work stoppage.
- December 9, 2024
The CEC and CAAT-A bargaining team representing full-time and partial-load professors, instructors, librarians, and counsellors entered non-binding mediation between Friday, December 6, and Sunday, December 8. Mediation will continue Monday January 6 and Tuesday January 7, 2025. As previously stated, there will be no strike or labour action in the fall semester.
- November 7, 2024
As we committed to you, we will be providing labour relations updates as they are available. We can confirm that negotiations between the College Employer Council (who represents the 24 Ontario Public Colleges) and Ontario Public Service Employees Union OPSEU ( who represents full-time faculty) are continuing, and the two parties have mutually agreed to enter non-binding mediation in early December. Based on strike requirements and timelines, we can share that a strike will not occur in the fall semester. All classes are continuing as scheduled.We understand that this potential strike situation is concerning for our students and our employees. As we move through this process, we will continue to provide updates to keep you informed. ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV remains hopeful that both sides will reach an agreement to avoid any work stoppage.
Please take the time to review the frequently asked questions below for additional information and details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will there be a strike on January 9, 2025?
No, there will be no strike. Classes run as scheduled.
- Is there a possibility that arbitration will lead to a strike?
No, an arbitrator will make a decision if the parties cannot come to an agreement. There will be no strike.
- What is mediation arbitration?
Arbitration is the process of having an independent person or body officially appointed to settle a dispute on the interpretation, application, administration, or alleged violation of the collective agreement.Both parties submit unresolved proposals to a mutually agreed upon arbitrator. The arbitrator will provide mediation to help both parties come to a mutual agreement on outstanding proposals. If an agreement cannot be reached, the arbitrator will step in and issue a ruling.
- Should I go to classes January 6-8, 2025?
- Yes, classes and activities are scheduled as per usual.
- If the Union chooses to work-to-rule starting on January 9, 2025, classes will continue to run as scheduled.
- Does labour action mean a strike?
- Labour action does mean a strike. Strike action can take various forms, which include work-to-rule, partial walk-out, rotating strike, all the way up to a full walk out.
- Only the Union can determine what forms of strike action will occur and when.
- What are the different forms of strike?
- Work-to-rule: Employees perform only the duties that have been assigned, strictly adhering to policy and contract obligations. Classes run as scheduled.
- Rotating Strike: Employees walk out entirely for short periods of time at different institutions. Classes run as scheduled with short periods of disruption.
- Full Walk Out: Employees withdraw all their services and choose to walk the picket line. Classes do not run.
- What is a strike? Is this common in Canada?
At the Colleges, strikes are peaceful forms of protest.- A strike may take different forms. In general, it is a refusal to work in the normal way that is designed to slow down, disrupt, or stop college operations. A strike is organized by a Union as a form of protest typically to force the employer to agree to their demands.
- Picket lines are formed by striking employees and people can be delayed from entering campus.
- The College will work with the union to ensure the safety of students and staff. If there is a strike, we will provide students with information about how to peacefully cross the picket line.
- If there is a strike, what will happen and how long will it last?
There is potential that the semester could be interrupted. Historically, no semester has been lost to a strike. Students have always been provided opportunities to complete classes and graduate.- A strike may result in an extended semester or delayed exams or convocation.
- The College will do everything possible to ensure that all students can complete the semester.
- Any impact to semester end dates / and subsequent starting date of the affected semesters will be communicated by the College.
- Will the Colleges force faculty to go on a full walk-out strike?
The Colleges cannot force faculty to go on strike. Only the Union team can determine what form of labour action it engages in. The College has never locked the faculty out (which means the employer has never forced a work stoppage).
- How long will a strike last?
It can last for a day or for an extended period.
- Can I access campus if there is a full walk-out strike?
Yes, campuses will remain open. When picket lines occur, picketers cannot prevent access for those looking to enter campus (however, they can rightfully delay access for up to 10 minutes). In the event of a full walk-out which includes picket lines, more information will be provided on how to safely access campus.
- If a strike occurs, what should I do?
Check your student email and this page on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV website regularly for updates on the labour dispute. If you plan to visit campus, leave extra time for travelling to the college as picket lines may be set up at campus entrances and limit traffic flow. If there is full walk-out strike and you take transit to campus, be aware that transit busses will drop students off outside of the campus to respect picket lines.
- Is this only happening at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV?
The union represents full-time faculty members at all of the 24 Ontario community colleges.