Our vision is rooted firmly in college faculty’s commitment to transparent and democratic processes that lead to a shared set of demands reflecting our core issues.

Our demands are grounded in foundational principles: a commitment to building a learning environment that is inclusive and accessible to our students, as well as one that reflects academic quality as our core value and responsibility. Further, this learning environment is about fairness and equity for both our students and our colleagues.

Bargaining 2024 Summary

• High Stakes Negotiations: Ontario college faculty, represented by OPSEU/SEFPO, are in a critical stage of negotiations with the College Employer Council (CEC). Key issues include workload, salary, benefits, intellectual property rights, and job security.
• Workload a Major Point of Contention: Faculty are demanding workload reductions, citing support from a recent task force report. However, the CEC is accused of stalling tactics and misrepresenting the report’s findings.
• Strike Mandate Vote Crucial: A strike mandate vote will be held October 15-17, 2024. A strong “yes” vote is seen as essential leverage to pressure the CEC and potentially avoid unfavorable terms being imposed.
• Faculty Concerns Over Bargaining: Faculty are worried about the CEC’s lack of engagement and potential for imposed terms if a strong strike mandate is not achieved. They cite concerns about delay tactics, misinformation, and a lack of good faith bargaining.
• Next Steps: The outcome of the strike vote will heavily influence the direction of negotiations. Faculty are urged to vote and stay informed about the bargaining process.

As union members, your voice and solidarity are crucial to securing a fair and just agreement at the bargaining table. Voting YES to a strike mandate is not only normal—it’s a vital tool that empowers our bargaining team to hold the College Employer Council (CEC) accountable and push for the improvements we all deserve.

1. It’s a Routine Part of Negotiations

Requesting a strike mandate is a common and expected part of the collective bargaining process. It doesn’t mean a strike is inevitable, but it gives our union the leverage needed to negotiate effectively. Without it, the CEC has little incentive to negotiate in good faith, and we risk facing unnecessary delays and concessions.

2. Fighting for Fair Workload and Wages

Our demands for reasonable workload limits, fair wages, and proper recognition of the work we do are not unreasonable. The current workload formulas are outdated and don’t reflect the reality of our roles, which have expanded significantly since they were established in 1986. The Workload Taskforce has confirmed that these changes are necessary, but the CEC continues to stall on addressing these critical issues.

3. Challenging the CEC’s Delay Tactics

The CEC has repeatedly delayed negotiations, particularly around workload issues. Despite having the Workload Taskforce report since July, they continue to claim they need more time. Filing for conciliation and seeking a strike mandate are direct responses to these intentional delays. By voting YES, you are sending a clear message that faculty will not tolerate being sidelined.

4. Protecting Our Professional Rights

We are fighting to secure better intellectual property rights, expanded benefit coverage, and protections against the CEC’s attempts to undermine our professional development time and academic freedom. The CEC’s proposals would weaken job security and limit our voice in key areas, including professional development and workload measurement. A strong strike mandate shows we are united in protecting our rights.

5. Maintaining Union Solidarity

Remember: we are the union. When the CEC speaks about the “union,” they are talking about us—your colleagues, counselors, and professors. A YES vote signals our collective strength and ensures we stand together to secure a fair agreement that reflects the value of our work.

6. A YES Vote is a Vote for Fairness

Voting YES to a strike mandate is the most powerful tool we have to push negotiations forward and secure the improvements we need. We are not voting to strike; we are voting to keep the pressure on the CEC to negotiate fairly.

Let’s continue standing together for a better future for all faculty.

OCTOBER 15- 17, vote YES to ensure our voices are heard!

• Prior to July 3rd, 2024: The Colleges Collective Bargaining Act (CCBA) is enacted in Ontario. Notably, the CCBA allows for employer-imposed contracts under certain circumstances.
• Prior to October 2023: OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty union (CAAT-A) holds a pre-bargaining conference.
• July 3rd, 2024: A draft report from the Workload Task Force (WTF) – formed following the previous round of bargaining – is released to both the union and the College Employer Council (CEC).
• July 8th, 2024: The CEC and OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty bargaining teams exchange opening statements for the current round of bargaining.
• July 15th, 2024: Bargaining formally begins. OPSEU/SEFPO tables its workload proposals. The CEC refuses to negotiate these proposals, stating it is waiting for a fully translated version of the Workload Task Force report.
• July 22nd, 2024: The CEC maintains its refusal to negotiate workload proposals.
• July 26th, 2024: The CEC submits proposal M2, “Academic Year and Professional Development, Non-Workload Taskforce Data Informed Proposals,” which includes concessions to faculty professional development time and shortens the academic year.
• September 9th-10th, 2024: OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty and Locals organize province-wide events to raise awareness about bargaining and faculty proposals.
• September 10th, 2024:OPSEU/SEFPO submits its monetary proposals to the CEC.
• The CEC publicly states that the union’s proposals will cost the college system $1 billion.
• OPSEU/SEFPO requests a detailed breakdown of the $1 billion figure but does not receive a response.
• September 11th, 2024: The CEC reiterates its claim that the union’s proposals will cost $1 billion.
• September 16th, 2024:OPSEU/SEFPO submits a list of agreed-upon workload items (U9a).
• The CEC again states it is not prepared to respond to the workload proposals.
• OPSEU/SEFPO again requests the breakdown of the $1 billion costing figure but does not receive a response.
• September 18th, 2024:Due to a lack of meaningful progress in negotiations, OPSEU/SEFPO files for conciliation and announces that it will request a strike vote.
• OPSEU/SEFPO releases a document outlining its concerns with the pace and content of bargaining thus far, specifically highlighting the CEC’s delays and obfuscation around workload issues.
• OPSEU/SEFPO releases an inoculation guide to its members, preparing them for potential disinformation from the CEC.
• Week of October 15th, 2024: OPSEU/SEFPO strike vote will be held.
• October 15th – 17th, 2024: OPSEU/SEFPO members will vote electronically on whether to authorize a strike. Voting will be open from 9 am on the 15th to 3 pm on the 17th.
• September 30th, 2024: The current collective agreement between OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty and the CEC expires.

Organizations:

• OPSEU/SEFPO: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is a trade union representing public and private sector employees in Ontario, Canada. In 2022, OPSEU affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is now known as OPSEU/SEFPO.
• CAAT-A: The College of Applied Arts & Technology – Academic. This is the division of OPSEU/SEFPO that represents Ontario college faculty.
• CEC: The College Employer Council is the bargaining agent for Ontario’s 24 public colleges in negotiations with CAAT-A.
• Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB): The OLRB is an independent tribunal that administers and enforces the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, 2008.

Individuals:

• JP Hornick: President of OPSEU/SEFPO.
• Ravi Ramkissoonsingh: Chair of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 242.
• Michelle Arbour: Vice-Chair of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 125.
• Chad Croteau: Member of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 110.
• Bob Delaney: Member of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 237.
• Martin Lee: Member of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 415.
• Sean Lougheed: Member of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 657.
• Rebecca Ward: Member of the 2024 OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team (CAAT-A). Member of OPSEU Local 732.
• Jeff Brown: OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty member and author of the document “College Faculty Negotiations: The Power of a Strong Strike Mandate.” Member of OPSEU Local 556, George Brown College.

Other Key Figures:

• Workload Task Force (WTF) Neutral Chair: An independent third party appointed to oversee the WTF and issue a report on faculty workload. This individual is not named in the provided documents.
• William Kaplan: Arbitrator who oversaw the 2021 round of bargaining between CAAT-A and CEC. Mr. Kaplan’s arbitration award led to the formation of the Workload Task Force.
• Doug Ford: Premier of Ontario.