Part-time support staff at Ontario’s colleges vote in favour of strike action if necessary

Kitchener-Waterloo·NewThe union representing part-time support staff at Ontario’s colleges says it’s in a position to strike after 64 per cent of workers voted in favour of strike action if necessary. The union says it will meet with the colleges’ representatives first, in November, December and January.3 dates have been scheduled for union and colleges to mediateCarmen Groleau · CBC News · Posted: Oct 23, 2025 11:50 AM EDT | Last Updated: 42 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesPart-time support staff at Ontario’s 24 colleges are in a position to strike. Workers held a vote last week that saw 64 per cent of staff vote yes to strike. (Carmen Groleau/ CBC)Part-time support workers at Ontario’s 24 colleges are in a position to strike after holding a vote last week.But the union says a strike wouldn’t happen right away.On Oct. 17, 64 per cent of workers voted in favour of taking strike action if necessary. Around 10,000 part-time workers are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). The union said on its website it was the group’s first time holding a strike vote and its bargaining team is set to enter mediation on Nov. 20 “with a strike mandate in hand to get down to business.””We’re fighting for better for all part-timers — including students and casual staff — and to win a collective agreement that ensures dignity in the workplace for everyone,” OPSEU said.Part-time support staff do clerical work, and work in maintenance and building services, among other roles. The union says staff have been working under an expired collective agreement for almost two years. Mediation dates setThe College Employer Council (CEC) said on its website that three mediation dates have been confirmed with OPSEU with an agreement for no labour action unless mediation fails.Those dates are:Nov. 20. Dec. 12.Jan. 28, 2026.“We believe our already tabled proposals recognize the valuable contributions part-time support staff provide Ontario colleges,” College Employer Council CEO Graham Lloyd said in the release on the council’s website.The council “is committed to reaching a fair collective agreement. The current offer includes meaningful brand-new gains,” he added.”We look forward to working towards a mediated resolution and hope to avoid a strike in February 2026 so that we can all focus on what matters most to our system: the students.”Fair wage increases, paid sick days and clearer job descriptions are among the issues OPSUE says its fighting for.”Our proposals aren’t unreasonable; they are what we deserve,” the union said.Meanwhile, full-time support staff reached a tentative deal with CEC earlier this month after being on the picket line since Sept. 11. The bargaining team is expected to review the details of the new deal and vote on whether to ratify it by Nov. 4.