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(TORONTO – September 18, 2011) – A tentative agreement has been reached
to end an 18-day strike by more than 8,000 community college support
staff in Ontario.
The deal, which must still be ratified by college staff members, was
reached late Sunday night following two-days of intensive bargaining by
negotiators for management and the Ontario Public Service Employees
Union.
“I applaud the tentative deal reached tonight by the negotiating
teams,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “We said all along
that a fair and just agreement was only possible when the two sides
could sit across the bargaining table from each other and I’m pleased to
report that was the case.”
Rod Bemister, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team, said the union
managed to secure key contract proposals it had brought forward and will
recommend that members approve the tentative deal.
“Our position from the start of contract talks was that this round of
negotiations would be about preserving the good jobs our members
currently enjoy, while at the same time ensuring that good jobs will be
in place for future college support staff. We believe we met those
objectives,” said Bemister.
Employees will return to work on Tuesday, September 20.
Details of the agreement will not be available until after a
ratification vote. A date for the vote has not been set.
More information:
Rod Bemister
Chair, CAAT Support Bargaining Team
416-779-0669
Greg Hamara
OPSEU Communications
647-238-9933 mobile
416-443-8888 office | 
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