Rae validates views of post-secondary staff and faculty

Former Ontario premier calls for more funding and full-time faculty members

Toronto - Bob Rae's report on post-secondary education in Ontario validates what front-line faculty and support staff have been arguing for years, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).

OPSEU president Leah Casselman has welcomed recommendations by the former Ontario premier for increased and more stable post-secondary education funding, and for more full-time faculty. Rae's report was released Monday.

OPSEU represents 15,000 faculty and support staff at Ontario's community colleges, plus 1,700 support staff at six universities.

However, Casselman said the quality of post-secondary education could be undermined if college part-timers are not allowed to become union members and if university and college support staff are not recognized for their important role.

"Rae's report validates what OPSEU members have been saying about the quality of post-secondary education in Ontario and sets out the necessary funding to catch up with other jurisdictions," she said.

"We support the creation of a higher education council, but to be effective it must be representative of all stakeholders. We have shown we can make an ongoing contribution to the council."

Rae did not deal explicitly with the exploitation of part-time workers in the community colleges.

'Take it seriously'

"We hope the government will take the report seriously and ensure that they increase full-time faculty numbers," Casselman said.

"The current rampant use of part-timers undermines the quality of education. The report also fails to address the unchecked discrimination, harassment and human rights abuses against part-time workers, who should have the right to join a union like other workers," Casselman added.

OPSEU supports Rae's proposal to reinvest in post-secondary education, hire additional faculty, decrease class size, reform the funding formula, and include universities in freedom of information legislation.

The union also said that Rae's recommendation of better access for aboriginal students and students with disabilities is positive, adding that both initiatives will require support staff to play an increasing role.

As well, the union welcomed his suggestion for a $20-million increase in base funding to French post-secondary education and the creation of an advisory committee for francophones.

Casselman said the report does not fully address the need to reduce tuition and ensure accessibility for lower income families.

"We want to ensure our members and other working people can afford to send their children to college or university," she said. NUPGE

More information:
• Rae Review - Final Report

Web posted by NUPGE: 8 February 2005

More News
News Archive
Media releases