8,900 teachers vote 80.4% in favour of walkout if necessary on March 7
Toronto (8 Feb. 2006) - Faculty at Ontario’s 24 community colleges have given their bargaining team a strong strike mandate.
The 8,900 teachers, counsellors and librarians, who are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), voted 80.4% in favour of a strike, which could be called March 7 if the two sides are unable to resolve their differences.
Workload and salaries are the main issues. The colleges’ salary offer is inadequate and would erode the position of college faculty salaries with respect to university facultyand secondary school teachers.
“The Rae Report clearly outlines the need for quality improvements in the colleges," says Ted Montgomery, chair of the union bargaining team.
"Quality is linked to improvements in the workload formula, but management just says ‘No’ to the faculty team’s proposals for improvement. I hope this strike mandate will impress upon this employer the need to bargain a fair settlement."
Meanwhile, Rick Miner, chair of the colleges' committee of presidents says management is committed to negotiating a settlement. NUPGE
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