Both sides continue to bargain
Aug 28, 2008 - 12:00 PM
By Reka Szekely
DURHAM -- College support staff are still at the bargaining table as a Sept. 1 strike date looms.
There's not much information to be had on exactly how those negotiations are going.
"What's happening is we're at the table right now, negotiating a collective agreement and there's a media blackout," said David Cox, spokesman for the Ontario Public Service Employee Union (OPSEU).
The union represents 6,500 employees at 24 colleges, including Durham College, throughout the province. They perform a variety of jobs ranging from administrative, such as doling out student loans, to IT work to cleaning the campuses. Their current contract runs out on Aug. 31.
Mr. Cox would not say what's on the table right now, but said one of the issues voted on in July was wages. The colleges are offering a three per cent increase.
"The other employees of the college were getting at least four per cent and they were looking for some fairness on that score," he said.
The union said it will remain at the bargaining table.
"(We'll bargain) all days until the 31st. We're just continuing until hopefully we get a deal," said Mr. Cox.
Amy England, president of the student association (SA) for Durham College, UOIT and Trent in Oshawa, said the SA has sent letters to students letting them know about the potential strike. They've also been handing out information flyers.
"We've been handing them out at all our orientation events and we have copies at the office, every time a student drops by we let them know about the potential work stoppage," she said.
In preparation, the SA has stocked up the food centre and is advising students to pay their tuition and get their student IDs before the strike deadline.
As well, Ms. England said the SA will be sending out a strike etiquette e-mail.
"Just reminding these are the support staff we deal with on a daily basis, to be courteous, polite, to be patient."
Classes start on Sept. 2.
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