Colleges propose weekend mediation to resolve strike

In an effort to end a four-week-long strike, the College Employer Council (CEC) invited the full-time support staff union bargaining team to enter into private mediation this weekend with mediator William Kaplan.

On Thursday, October 9, CEC received an updated list of demands from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) bargaining team and a request to resume bargaining. After reviewing the union’s latest proposal, CEC responded with a request that the union join in mediation with Mediator Kaplan this weekend.

This evening, the OPSEU bargaining team accepted the offer of mediation. The session will begin Saturday, October 11.

“Support staff play an important role in Ontario colleges, supporting operations and contributing to student success,” said Graham Lloyd, CEO of CEC. “Colleges would like to reach a fair deal that will bring them off the picket lines and back to work. We feel a mediation session with Mediator Kaplan this weekend offers the best way to do that.”

CEC remains committed to working toward a resolution that supports staff, restores campus operations, and prioritizes student success.

To respect this mediation process, CEC does not plan on issuing any further statements until the mediation has concluded.