By now you will be aware that Ontario’s colleges, represented by the College Employer Council (CEC), and OPSEU, representing full-time and partial-load faculty, counsellors and librarians province-wide, have agreed to enter binding arbitration, averting any potential disruption of our Winter term.
This is a very welcome development as we enter a new year and a new term, and most of all it’s great news for Niagara College students. After many months of province-wide bargaining, the colleges and OPSEU were able to leverage a shared commitment to students to reach a resolution that recognizes the important work and contributions of our academic employees, while avoiding any interruption to teaching and learning.
The arbitration process will allow both parties to submit proposals on unresolved issues for the arbitrator to consider; the arbitrator will then issue a final and binding decision on those unresolved issues. It ensures that no strike action will occur.
As we all know, a challenging road lies ahead for all colleges in Canada, including Niagara College, as we find ways to maintain enrolments and balance budgets in the face of sweeping changes to our country’s international student program. I have every confidence that we will collectively meet this challenge just as we have overcome similar obstacles, because of the remarkable student focus, dedication, caring, and collaboration that are ever the source of our success and shared pride in serving the needs of our students and our communities.
I know that at times the bargaining process can create uncertainty, and I want to thank all employees for the professionalism and student focus displayed throughout the process.
Wishing each of you a Happy New Year and a successful Winter term.
