The union representing Ontario’s college faculty has announced it will be in a legal strike position starting January 4th. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) stated that mediation talks with the colleges’ bargaining agents earlier this month were unsuccessful.
OPSEU expressed concerns about potential erosion of working conditions, job security, and the quality of education for students. The union believes these issues need to be addressed in order to ensure fair treatment for college faculty and maintain the high standards of education.
If the union decides to proceed with the strike, they would need to give five days’ notice before taking action. This means that, while they are legally allowed to strike as of January 4th, a strike could happen later depending on the negotiations.
The situation has sparked concern among students and staff who hope for a resolution before any disruptions affect the start of the new semester.
(Written by: Emma Butler)