Full-time Support Staff at all Ontario colleges, including at Niagara College, have voted 77% in favour of giving its union, the Ontario Public Sector Employees Union (OPSEU) a strike mandate. Following negotiations between OPSEU and the province’s colleges mediated by a government-appointed conciliator, OPSEU requested a “No Board Report” from the Ministry of Labour, which was issued. The union is in a legal position to commence job actions, up to and including a full strike, as early as September 11, 2025.
Current college operations and Fall term academic schedules remain in place, including all scheduled classes, labs and learning activities.
Who is involved in this potential strike?
Members of the full-time support staff union at Niagara College provide a wide range of services that support students including positions in clerical and technical administration, learning supports, academic accommodations and advising, health care, building maintenance, ITS, lab technologists, technicians, and others. This includes members of Enrolment Service & Financial Aid, Libraries & Academic Services, Student Services, Athletics & Student Engagement, Marketing & Student Recruitment, International Student Services, Indigenous Education, College Operations and Research & Innovation.
This vote does not involve academic professors, counsellors or instructors, part-time support staff, and those classified as administrative employees or management. It also does not include campus security, food services, residence, and custodial services.
What is a union and why is this happening?
In Ontario, full-time support staff are members of a single union (OPSEU) and negotiations take place between the union and the College Employer Council (CEC), a committee representing all 24 public colleges in the province. These negotiations occur every few years, and they involve both parties negotiating to establish the terms and conditions of the agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for support staff employees.
In Canada, unionized employees have a legal right to negotiate contracts and to strike. A strike is sometimes used to temporarily interrupt the employers’ operations as a form of action to motivate negotiations. A strike is a lawful activity that can take many forms, including modified work schedules (work to rule) that slow down, interrupt or disrupt operations. Strikes can also include rotating job actions (i.e. information pickets, non participation in non-mandatory work, letter writing campaigns, buttons or clothing with union messaging) at some work sites but not at others. At its most serious, a strike can be a full work stoppage, where employees on strike no longer come to work.
When will a strike happen?
The Union can determine the timing and nature of any job action – including a strike. The union requested a ‘No Board Report’ on August 21, which has been issued by the Ministry of Labour, starting the countdown for a legal strike which can begin as early as September 11, 2025.
In response, the College Employer Council (CEC) proposed binding mediation/arbitration to the Union. Colleges remain committed to bargaining with the intention of reaching a fair collective agreement. Mediation/arbitration is commonly used in the college sector as a means for the parties to reach a collective agreement and was successful in negotiations with the faculty union in June 2025.
We acknowledge that the bargaining process may raise concerns about your studies and your time at Niagara College. We also recognize that strike actions are common in many parts of the world and can take on many forms, including protests and other forms of unrest. Previous work stoppages at Niagara College have been peaceful in nature. It’s also important to note that no college student in Ontario has ever lost their year or term due to a strike.
For further information and regular updates, please visit www.niagaracollege.ca/bargaining.