Georgian College support staff to return to work after 5-week strike action

The strike at colleges across Ontario is over after the union representing full-time support staff and the schools reached a tentative deal.

Ontario colleges and full-time support staff have reached a tentative agreement, ending a five-week strike that saw thousands of workers walk off the job.

About 465 full-time support staff at Georgian College went on strike on Sept. 11, joining roughly 10,000 college support workers across the province, after their contract expired at the end of August.

The workers, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), were calling for better wages, benefits and job security.

In a Wednesday release, officials stated a weekend-long private mediation session “broke a bargaining impasse” resulting in the tentative agreement.

“Support staff play an important role in our colleges, supporting operations and contributing to student success,” said Graham Lloyd, CEO of College Employer Council. “We are grateful to have them back to work.”

“The past five weeks of the strike have been challenging for everyone involved,” added Lloyd.

“I’m pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached between the College Employer Council and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union,” said Kevin Weaver, president and CEO of Georgian College in a statement. “I look forward to welcoming back our full-time support staff and express my deep gratitude to all of Team Georgian for navigating the last few weeks with such understanding, patience and respect. I also want to acknowledge our students who demonstrated incredible resilience over the last five weeks.”

The tentative agreement is pending ratification by union members, with a deadline set for Nov. 4. Details of the agreement have yet to be released.

College support staff will return to work on Thursday, according to the union.