Strike possible at Ontario colleges [Video]

Students at Ontario colleges enter their winter break under a cloud of uncertainty after the union representing faculty members raised the stakes at the bargaining table.

A possible labour disruption might disrupt the return to class in January.

On Oct. 1, the contract expired for 15,000 full-time and part-time college faculty across the province represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

At the union’s request, the Ministry of Labour has issued a No-Board report that paves the way for labour disruption and picket lines as early as Jan. 4.

According to OPSEU, its key priorities at the bargaining table remain:

• no concessions
• better wages
• end to unpaid labour
• enhanced job security

In response to the No Board report, the College Employer Council (CEC) writes, “We hope there will be no strike. Only the union controls whether it will call for a strike. The CEC is committed to finding a solution to negotiations that will not impact …