Ontario College Support Workers Reach Tentative Deal After Month-Long Strike
After more than a month on the picket line, 10,000 support workers at Ontario’s 24 public colleges have reached a tentative agreement with their employer, the College Employer Council (CEC), according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
Union officials said strikers — including librarian technicians, registrar staff, and IT support employees — are expected to return to work Thursday, pending ratification of the new deal by November 4.
Union cites fight against privatization and job cuts
OPSEU bargaining chair Christine Kelsey said members stood firm to protect public education amid concerns over privatization, job losses, and program cuts.
“The gains made in this agreement would not have been possible without members holding strong these last weeks,” Kelsey said.
The union argues the strike spotlighted chronic underfunding of Ontario’s public colleges, blaming the provincial government for what it called a “deliberate defunding” of higher education.
Employer credits mediation for breaking impasse
The CEC said a private mediation session over the weekend helped end the stalemate.
“We are grateful to have them back to work,” said CEC CEO Graham Lloyd, noting that support staff are critical to college operations and student success.
Negotiations began in June after the previous contract expired. Workers walked out September 11, demanding stronger job-security provisions and funding commitments.
The CEC had previously said OPSEU’s requests — such as banning campus mergers, closures, and layoffs — were fiscally unfeasible, citing enrolment and revenue declines of up to 50 percent.
Colleges resume operations as vote looms
With classes and student services set to normalize Thursday, both sides are preparing for a ratification vote. If approved, the agreement will end one of the longest college labour disputes in recent years and mark a symbolic win for unionized education workers pushing back against austerity.
