FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2005
Ontario community
college support staff vote to move one step closer to a
Sept. 7 strike
More than 6,000 support staff
at 24 Ontario community colleges moved a step closer to
strike action after a province-wide vote Thursday.
Members of the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union (OPSEU) voted 93 per cent to reject
the Colleges Compensation and Appointments Council’s latest
offer.
On a separate ballot, support
staff also voted 85.5 per cent in favour of giving their
bargaining team the ability to call a Sept. 7 strike. 58 per
cent of eligible voters cast a vote.
This is the first time since
1979 that College Support Staff could walk off the job,
potentially disrupting the start of the school year for more
than half a million college students.
“It’s time for management to
recognize the contributions support staff make to the
educational experience of students,” says OPSEU President
Leah Casselman. “Without them, it would be difficult for the
colleges to function.”
“Our members are upset that
managers rewarded themselves with a seven per cent average
wage increase last year only to tell support staff that they
should accept an offer that is below the forecasted 2005
rate of inflation,” said Rod Bemister, chair of the union
bargaining team. “This vote sends a clear message regarding
their priorities.”
With $100 million in new
funding this year, the union is hopeful that the strike vote
will bring the colleges back to the table in August with an
improved offer.
Members with the Ontario
Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) have been negotiating a new
deal since January. Contracts will expire across the
province on Aug. 31.
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For information please
contact:
Rod Bemister, Chair,
Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology, Support Staff
Bargaining Team - (416) 779-0669
Rick Janson, OPSEU Communications - (416) 443-8888 x
8207; or cell (416) 525-3324
