OPSEU/SEFPO Local 109: Picket Lines Continue Tuesday Oct 14, Students are Writing to College Presidents

Picket lines will resume at Fanshawe College campus locations on Tuesday October 14, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here is some background information:

Current Status

• The OPSEU/SEFPO College Support Full-Time Bargaining Team representing 10,000 striking workers has provided the CEC with a comprehensive proposal package with a pathway to settlement to the College Employer Council (CEC) alongside an invitation to return to the bargaining table immediately.
• Job Security is a major issue
• There is a real risk of Community Colleges closing down across the Province due to a lack of funding from the Ontario Provincial Government. The current government seems more interested in funding private companies than supporting Community Colleges. If these Colleges close down there is more than just the job loss to worry about: Where will these students go for education? Industries rely on Community Colleges graduating students with the hands-on skills they need to be successful in their companies.
• These support staff work in many different areas of the Colleges, including but not limited to: Facilities, Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Accessibility Services, IT infrastructure (network services), IT Service Desk, Library, Academic Planners, Co-op Placements, Student Records, Marketing, Communications
• After some initial progress, the CEC continually walked away from the bargaining table stating that they would not bargain at all on certain items. It has been difficult to get them to return.
• Strikers have now been out for 29 days (as of Oct. 10)

College Students are Speaking Out

• The CEC claims that all 24 presidents have indicated that students aren’t being impacted by the strike. Strikers are well aware of impact to students:
  • Students not getting OSAP
  • Delays in Accessibility students getting bursary funding, which leads to delays in getting much needed classroom and test accommodations
  • Convocations have been cancelled/postponed
  • Open Houses have been cancelled
  • Academic Planning for winter term should be almost done by now
  • And more

Students are being asked to write to College Presidents and let them know how the cuts and the strike are impacting them. If you know any college students, please share this flyer with them.