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'We tabled an offer that is affordable and which should have been acceptable. It is well within the range of other recent public sector agreements.' - Ted Montgomery.
Toronto (3 Dec. 2009) - Negotiators for approximately 9,000 community college faculty members at Ontario's 24 community colleges put forward a revised position this week in hopes of reaching a settlement in contract talks.
However, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) says its negotiators were left frustrated by management’s refusal to make any changes to its position.
“We came forward with a significantly revised offer that could have resulted in a settlement that was satisfactory to both sides,” says Ted Montgomery, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team. “But an agreement will remain elusive unless negotiators for the colleges get realistic about what’s required for a settlement.”
The colleges tabled an earlier offer of 8% over four years. The union has proposed 7.5% over three years.
Faculty members have maintained throughout this round of bargaining that the key issue is improving quality education by implementing the recommendations of an independent task force established after the last round of bargaining in 2006.
“We tabled an offer that is affordable and which should have been acceptable. It is well within the range of other recent public sector agreements. There should be no roadblock to a settlement,” says Montgomery.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• OFL condemns Ontario colleges for bad faith bargaining
• Ontario colleges provoking province-wide strike