It’s no secret that colleges and universities urgently need more funding.
As the union representing 45,000 staff and faculty in all 24 of Ontario’s colleges and 16 universities and other postsecondary institutions, we have been sounding the alarm for years.
Our members have been living and working with the consequences of three decades of defunding by government. They include:
- Increased class sizes
- Crucial programs, services and supports starved of funds or eliminated
- A piecemeal approach to higher education that does not meet the needs of students or communities.
- A shift to online learning without adequate supports
- The massive growth of a lower-paid, insecure workforce of staff and faculty
- Workload levels that are causing both total burnout and deteriorating mental health for faculty and staff.
Further, international students have been squeezed to the breaking point by a business model that depends on them to fund the system.
It is time for the Ford government to step up and undo years of damage.
A “blue ribbon” panel of business consultants and former university executives made its recommendations to the government on funding.
The panel recommended a one-time funding boost of 10% and a one-time tuition fee hike of 5%, with subsequent years’ funding and tuition increases linked to inflation.
The funding increase is not enough. And we don’t agree with shifting the cost burden to students. Postsecondary education is a public good that benefits our society and economy.
OPSEU/SEFPO sector leaders and President JP Hornick told the panel last spring that Ontario should raise per-student funding to the average level of other provinces. (Currently, Ontario lags far behind all other provinces in per-student funding.)
The funding should be tied to concrete measures that improve the student experience, including:
- Improved workloads for faculty and staff, resulting in more resources and supports for students;
- Fairness for precarious faculty and staff, resulting in a more stable workforce to help students.
As well, to limit the escalating growth in high-paying executive positions, colleges and universities should be required to follow strict financial transparency rules.
It is time for the Ford government to change course and properly fund public postsecondary education in Ontario.
Other Bargaining Updates
OPSEU/SEFPO disappointed that college management won’t come back to the bargaining table
Toronto - OPSEU/SEFPO is disappointed that the College Employer Council (CEC) is imposing employment conditions on college faculty following a strike vote this weekend. The CEC has signalled it intends to impose a series of conditions effective Monday and the faculty...
College faculty hand bargaining team strike mandate
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says a strike mandate shows the union’s college faculty members want a collective agreement reached at the bargaining table. OPSEU/SEFPO’s faculty members voted 59 per cent in favour of job action to back contract...
College Faculty Strike Vote
A strike vote will be held this week for college faculty members represented by OPSEU/SEFPO starting December 9. OPSEU/SEFPO asked the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) last month to schedule the online strike vote after the College Employer Council requested a...
Bargaining FAQ
Demands were generated through local demand-set meetings held at all 24 faculty locals in early 2021. Each local then sent their top 10 demands to the bargaining team so they could be included in the provincial demand-set book. Each academic local sent delegates to...
Message from the CAAT-A bargaining team
Greetings faculty: We have reviewed the College Employer Council team’s latest offers, including their proposal for Final Offer Selection arbitration, received through various email channels this week. It is important to note that the faculty team offered...
OPSEU/SEFPO disappointed by college employer’s push toward strike vote
Toronto – The College Employer Council (CEC) has rejected the most recent offer put forth by OPSEU/SEFPO’s faculty bargaining team, pushing staff and students at Ontario’s 24 public colleges closer to a possible strike or lockout. Union President Warren (Smokey)...
Mediator imposes communications blackout on CAAT-A contract talks
Mediator Brian Keller has imposed a “total communications blackout on negotiations” as mediation continues between Ontario’s public college faculty, represented by OPSEU/SEFPO, and the employer, the College Employer Council. Until the blackout is lifted, OPSEU/SEFPO...
Faculty Proposals – Joint Committee Work
The following initial proposals were presented to the CEC negotiations team on August 5, 2021. Below, you will find our overview of the proposals (which is adapted from the language that we presented at the bargaining table to provide context), as well as the...
Faculty Proposals — Outside Work
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...
Faculty Proposals — Coordinators
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...
Union Proposals — Academic Quality
The following initial proposals were presented to the CEC negotiations team on August 4, 2021. Below, you will find our overview of the proposals (which is adapted from the language that we presented at the bargaining table to provide context), as well as the specific...
Faculty Proposals — Staffing
The following initial proposals were presented to the CEC negotiations team on August 4, 2021. Below, you will find our overview of the proposals (which is adapted from the language that we presented at the bargaining table to provide context), as well as the specific...