Last week from May 7-9, over 115 delegates met in person and online for our College Faculty Full-Time Divisional Meeting and Pre-Bargaining Conference.
Full-time and partial load faculty representatives from across the province came together to discuss our common issues, review our bylaws and negotiating procedures, and identify what a winning strategy to save our colleges looks like.
For the first time, we were joined in the room by solidarity guests from all three other CAAT divisions: part-time and sessional faculty, part-time support staff, and full-time support staff.
Our conference resonated with a consistent message: we are committed to jointly coordinating our efforts in recognition of the fact that we are stronger together.
The government originally created the College Employer Council (CEC) and handed it the responsibility for collective bargaining as a mechanism to insulate the real decision-makers and keep us divided. As a united front of college workers, the CEC’s tactics will no longer work.
Past rounds of bargaining have emphasized the importance of forging unity between all college faculty and support staff so that we can resist efforts to diminish our collective strength.
This strategy begins at the local level. To build peak power, we are establishing Local Organizing Committees with cross-divisional representation at every single college – take the first step to join yours below!
Join your Local Organizing Committee
Delegates at the divisional meeting heard from Tannis and Jeff from OPSEU/SEFPO’s Worth Fighting For (WFF) campaign, a coordinated bargaining initiative with members of the Broader Public Service.
WFF has achieved majority participation with workers in over 27 different workplaces that each served their employers “no-board” reports on May 1 (May Day), starting the countdown for them to be in a legal position to take strike action.
Elections took place during the conference to elect your leadership team and provincial committee members. Thank you to everyone who stepped forward.
We are excited to introduce your newly elected Bargaining Team and Divisional Executive:
Your new College Faculty Full-Time Bargaining Team (BT):
- Chad Croteau, Local 110 (Fanshawe College)
- Michelle Arbour, Local 125 (Lambton College)
- Chris Vuorensyrja, Local 655 (Cambrian College)
- Usman Malik, Local 562 (Humber Polytechnic)
- Vijay Khatri, Local 240 (Mohawk College)
- Deb Luchuk, Local 354 (Durham College)
- Gavin Hemeon, Local 732 (Confederation College)
Your new College Faculty Full-Time Divisional Executive (DivEx):
- Jeff Brown, Local 556 (George Brown Polytechnic)
- Pearline Lung, Local 562 (Humber Polytechnic) – Chair
- Robert Montgomery, Local 655 (Cambrian College)
- Rebecca Ward, Local 732 (Confederation College) – Vice-Chair
- Michelle Arbour, Local 125 (Lambton College)
In solidarity,
Your College Faculty Full-Time Divisional Executive
Questions? Get in touch! [email protected]