The following initial proposals were presented to the CEC negotiations team on August 5, 2021. Below you will find our overview of the proposals, as well as the language itself. In the margins, you will find brief notes explaining the intent of the change. Directly below, you will find the outside demands passed at our final demand-setting meeting in April that these proposals were written to address following our consultation processes with faculty across the province.
Demands:
- Ensure all faculty have the freedom to take employment, consulting, or teaching activities outside the College in cases that do not cause any conflict of interest, without the approval of a direct manager
- Strengthen language to prevent bullying/harassment/racism and to provide oversight and accountability
Overview:
As outlined in management’s stated goals and values for this round of bargaining, we can find common ground related to the importance of the Colleges’ ability to deliver quality programming and a commitment to ensure the success of our diverse students. One way to achieve these values is to ensure faculty continue to bring creative and innovative skills and best practices from their fields of expertise to our students. Faculty should no longer ask permission but instead, be encouraged to stay connected to their professional practices through employment outside their teaching role.
Our members are sought after because they are leaders in education, our communities, and their industries. Naturally, one of the best ways to stay current in any profession is through ongoing participation, collaboration, and engagement. Ontario’s colleges claim to be “at the forefront of technology, innovation and workforce development, preparing students for success in the cutting-edge careers of tomorrow” (Ontariocollege.ca). In the 21st century, career skillsets and professional standards change rapidly. Faculty should be encouraged to stay current both theoretically and practically. Many fields are ripe for disruptive innovation, including education. Innovation occurs through new social connections, challenges and environments that encourage people to think, take risks, try new things, collaborate, and learn. It is remarkably beneficial to our student’s success and the college system that faculty members not only have the right but are encouraged to drive innovation both internally and externally in their communities and fields of practice.
Our members recognize their commitment to continual professional learning is fundamental to student learning and success. Our professional practice and self-directed learning as both professors and industry experts are informed by experience, research, collaboration, and knowledge. The language we are proposing will remove the opportunity for unconscious bias, systemic discrimination and favouritism which inhibits faculty members from fully engaging in professional activities and connections that enrich their work at the college and benefit student success.
To view the full proposed language changes that were tabled, along with explanatory notes, please download the printable PDF version here.
Other Bargaining Updates
Information for OPSEU/SEFPO members in the CAAT-Academic Division about the February 15-17 forced-offer vote
A forced-offer vote will be held in February for college faculty members represented by OPSEU/SEFPO starting February 15. The vote was scheduled after the College Employer Council (CEC) asked the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) last week to schedule the online...
Five reasons to REJECT the CEC’s forced offer
Click here for a printable PDF version The College Employer Council’s forced offer fails. It’s a terrible contract that fails faculty, fails students and threatens to harm the entire college system. All faculty should vote to reject the colleges’ offer, because: (x)...
Dates confirmed for the College Employer Council’s forced-offer vote
The College Employer Council (CEC) filed an application with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) yesterday for a forced-offer vote. Their latest offer includes only a slight change from the offer they tabled on November 23, 2021. It also follows its decision to...
OPSEU/SEFPO files ULP over CEC interference in bargaining
Toronto – On January 14, 2022, OPSEU/SEFPO filed an unfair labour practice (ULP) complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, accusing the College Employer Council (CEC) and a number of colleges of interfering in the rights of members to support their union’s...
OPSEU/SEFPO calls on college faculty to reject Employer’s forced offer deal
TORONTO – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says a better deal can be achieved and is advising college faculty to reject the employer’s latest offer, after the College Employer Council (CEC) filed for a forced offer vote Monday. "It's still possible to...
OPSEU/SEFPO denounces college failures raised by AG
TORONTO – OPSEU/SEFPO hopes the leaders at Ontario’s public colleges don’t ignore recent concerns expressed by the Auditor General about an over reliance on international student tuition for the colleges’ financial viability. OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey)...