OPSEU began working for union rights for college part-timers, both support and faculty, in 2005. At that time, it was illegal, under the rules of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act(CCBA), for college part-timers to organize. A concerted campaign by OPSEU and part-timers changed that in 2008, when the Liberal government of the day amended the CCBA.
OPSEU has tried several times to organize both support and academic part-time staff, but today was the first time the OLRB has counted votes.
“This has been a long time coming, but it was well worth it,” said Thomas. “It is a shame and a waste that the colleges spent millions of public dollars on high-priced lawyers to try to stop these workers from exercising their rights, but the fact that we overcame their resistance only makes the victory sweeter.”
OPSEU has filed an application to represent part-time faculty in the colleges as well. The vote in that organizing drive, which took place in October 2017, has yet to be counted.
For more information: Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931
Toronto – Thousands of part-time college support staff are joining the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
A vote count held today at the offices of the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) confirmed that part-time support staff voted overwhelmingly to join the union in a province-wide representation vote held in late June 2016.
“This is a magnificent victory for part-time college support staff and for all the people who worked so hard for so many years to win union rights for them,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said. “It truly is a dream come true, and on behalf of the OPSEU Executive Board I want to say thank you to everyone who supported this drive.
“We can’t wait to welcome these new members to our wonderful, powerful union.”
OPSEU began working for union rights for college part-timers, both support and faculty, in 2005. At that time, it was illegal, under the rules of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act(CCBA), for college part-timers to organize. A concerted campaign by OPSEU and part-timers changed that in 2008, when the Liberal government of the day amended the CCBA.
OPSEU has tried several times to organize both support and academic part-time staff, but today was the first time the OLRB has counted votes.
“This has been a long time coming, but it was well worth it,” said Thomas. “It is a shame and a waste that the colleges spent millions of public dollars on high-priced lawyers to try to stop these workers from exercising their rights, but the fact that we overcame their resistance only makes the victory sweeter.”
OPSEU has filed an application to represent part-time faculty in the colleges as well. The vote in that organizing drive, which took place in October 2017, has yet to be counted.
For more information: Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931