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'Faculty must prepare for a strike in the eventuality that an agreement can't be reached.'
Ottawa (25 Jan. 2010) - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) has spelled out in detail what it will take to sign a new collective agreement on behalf of the 9,000 college teachers, counsellors and librarians it represents.
On Jan. 13, faculty members at 18 of 24 colleges voted 57% to give its negotiating committee a mandate to call a strike if necessary to reach an acceptable settlement with the Community Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT).
The teachers are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE). OPSEU is the largest Component of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), which has 340,000 members.
"The bargaining team strongly prefers a negotiated settlement, not a strike," OPSEU says in an update posted on its website.
"If management shares that objective, they will resume negotiations with an honest willingness to reach a deal that implements fully the task force recommendations and is fair to both parties. If they do not, then this can only mean that management prefers a disruption to the students’ studies rather than a negotiated settlement."
OPSEU says the following elements are required to reach a settlement:
- Implement all the recommendations of the provincial workload task force, thus demonstrating trust in the abilities and commitment of faculty members.
- Treat and compensate faculty members as professionals.
- Recognize, when it comes to evaluation, that proceeding in a collegial manner as recommended by the task force better serves the students.
- Provide faculty who have student numbers above the norm with additional time to assist their students.
- Honour the workload formula findings of the task force and provide a formula for librarians, counsellors and partial-load faculty.
- End the current undemocratic, disrespectful and unprofessional imposition of terms and conditions of employment.
"The union is hopeful that the employer will work towards a reasonable and responsible settlement," OPSEU adds. "However, faculty must prepare for a strike in the eventuality that an agreement can’t be reached."
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:
• CAAT Negotiations - What will it take to get a settlement?
• Ontario college teachers vote to strike if necessary