As the strike at Ontario’s colleges continues, the College Employer Council (CEC) is expressing frustration with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
In a press statement, the CEC accused the union’s bargaining team of abruptly reversing course in negotiations, prolonging the strike and setting back progress.
Mediation took place over the weekend, during which an offer was made to the union that included improvements to contracting out and technological change protections, increased wages, on-call pay, and bereavement leave.
However, towards the end of negotiations, the CEC says OPSEU went back on progress by tabling a new proposal. This proposal called for a ban on contracting out without union approval and restrictions on collaborative work.
Graham Lloyd, CEO of CEC, responded by saying that staff already have protections in those areas. “This kind of bargaining, where the union moves backward and sets ultimatums, undermines the progress made,” said Lloyd. “Negotiating against receding horizons only undoes days of progress we achieved together.”
The CEC has asked OPSEU to share the CEC proposals and accompanying documents with the full-time support staff membership so they can see the full scope of what is being offered.
https://www.quintenews.com/2025/09/29/college-labour-negotiations-stall/