Happy Labour Day! This one feels extra meaningful, because we’re getting ready to hold the line for the future of our work and the future of college student supports.
Should a deal fail to be reached in the lead up to our deadline, we’re announcing today that all 10,000 full-time college support staff will be on strike as of 12:01am on September 11th, 2025.
Yesterday, on August 31st, we concluded twenty-one (21) days of bargaining with the employer. After a full day of bargaining yesterday, we have yet to reach an agreement that meets our members’ top-line priority of job security.
It’s more than just our contract that is at stake. This is foremost about the kinds of learning environments that students are going to be placed in if we don’t have jobs to come back to.
Our employer will tell you that your bargaining team is seeking “breakthrough” proposals and try to convince you this isn’t the time to ask for more.
But our college communities can’t afford the further gutting of student supports – and this round of bargaining is where we can put an end to devastating lay-offs, contracting out of services, or management taking on bargaining unit work. This is our opportunity to fight back.
And this Labour Day is one for the books – because not only are we setting our official strike deadline, but today, our part-time support staff colleagues have also announced their intention to seek a strike vote.
Your College Support Full-Time bargaining team heads back to the table on September 9th and 10th, 2025 – and have indicated to the employer that we are ready to meet at any time, including earlier dates. But if we’re going to reach a deal, we’re going to need to see a different kind of movement at the table – so we’re setting a deadline to move negotiations along.
We’re ready to bargain a just contract until the eleventh hour, but we can’t do it without you. Between now and our next dates at the table, we need to increase the pressure on every campus and show the employer we are ready to hold the line, and strike if necessary.
Members are encouraged to ensure they have completed their registration at the OPSEU/SEFPO portal and connect with their Locals using their non-college email addresses so that communication channels are open regarding the timing and type of labour action, along with specific instructions on how to proceed. Please continue to report to work unless otherwise instructed.
As always, you can read the latest bargaining updates on CollegeSupportFT.org.
Your College Support Full-Time Bargaining Team:
Christine Kelsey, Local 416 (Chair)
Shelley Gartshore, Local 124 (Vice-Chair)
Veronica Attard, Local 416
Dan Brisson, Local 672
Bob Holder, Local 243
Dana Leaman, Local 241
Xiaoyan Wang, Local 561