JASON SETNYK
During a recent funding announcement at Gray’s Creek near the St. Lawrence College (SLC) Cornwall campus, SDSG MPP and Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn was confronted by striking full-time support staff calling for action amid an escalating province-wide labour dispute.
The strike, which began September 11, involves 10,000 college support workers across Ontario’s 24 public colleges. Represented by OPSEU/SEFPO, the workers walked off the job after contract talks broke down with the College Employer Council (CEC). The labour action has disrupted vital campus services such as registration, library access, and IT support-though classes continue with faculty and part-time staff not participating.
In Cornwall, the disruption is acutely felt. Library services have been hit especially hard, with staffing cuts leading to reliance on a self-serve book vending machine. OPSEU members call this a stark symbol of what they describe as “education by automation” and a broader devaluation of both student supports and worker roles.
The union is demanding stronger job security, protections against outsourcing, and improved working conditions. “CEC has done everything in their power to not bargain,” said Veronica Attard, Executive Board Member for Region 4. “If the Minister for Colleges doesn’t care about students and services, who is he actually representing?”
Frustration with Quinn boiled over after OPSEU members learned he was attending a funding announcement. “Our original plan had been to picket at Nolan Quinn’s Office and upon arrival we found out he was not there but at a funding announcement for the St. Lawrence River Institute,” explained Amanda Shaw, President of Local 418. “Unlike the Kingston and Brockville MPPs, Nolan has yet to show up at our line so we decided to take the opportunity to get FaceTime with him. In his role as Minister, Training, Colleges, Universities and Research, as a Cornwall MPP and as an SLC graduate, he has a responsibility to advocate for better funding of Ontario colleges to ensure viable education opportunities in our communities.”
Shaw added, “Our Library Technician, Ann Small, who was replaced by a vending machine, was able to share her story and Veronica Attard from the Bargaining Team was able to urge him to get College Employer Council back to the table. Nolan appeared uncomfortable, but it is information he needs to hear.”
In response, Quinn issued the following statement: “The Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security is not a party in labour negotiations. We are monitoring the situation closely and remain hopeful that all parties reach a fair deal that puts students first.”
The College Employer Council, meanwhile, has placed the blame on the union, citing four specific demands from OPSEU that they claim are blocking any resolution. According to CEC CEO Graham Lloyd, those include a guarantee of no campus or college mergers or closures for three years; no staff reductions for any reason during that same period; a prohibition on contracting out any services, regardless of circumstances such as snow plowing at small campuses; and new restrictions on support staff work that would prohibit managers or faculty from doing even basic tasks, like turning off lights or checking for leaks.
“There are demands that, regardless of the situation, we just can’t go forward,” Lloyd added. “We’ve spent almost three months bargaining and we’ve told them that we will never agree to those. If they insist, then there’s no path forward to a negotiated deal. So, if that’s the situation, let’s at least go to mediation and arbitration to ensure that there’s certainty for students and employees.”
CEC has also pointed out that it has enhanced its offer to over $145 million in wages, benefits, and job security improvements.
OPSEU, however, continues to question the government’s priorities. A recent union social media post criticized Quinn’s silence and highlighted that SLC had suspended 40% of its programs earlier this year, including business programs-despite Quinn being an alumnus of that faculty.
Kingston MPP Ted Hsu voiced his solidarity: “College support staff are striking due to poor working conditions… I’m eager to get back [to Queen’s Park] and push for better support.”
With no further negotiations scheduled, the path forward remains uncertain.
L’article Ontario Minister Quinn Confronted by College Strikers est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
