‘Historic vote’: Ontario college support staff secure new contract after 5-week strike

Thousands of striking college support workers took to the picket lines at the Georgian College campus in Orillia, Ont. on Oct. 2, 2025. (CTV News/Luke Simard)

Support staff at Ontario’s colleges, including Georgian College, ratified a new three-year contract, officially ending a five-week strike that affected students and operations.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) confirmed 89 per cent of its more than 10,000 full-time college support staff voted in favour of the agreement. The union said participation was high, with more than 75 per cent of members casting a ballot.

At Georgian College, classes continued during the labour disruption, but many students reported reduced access to certain campus resources and offices.

According to OPSEU, the new deal — which is in effect until August 31, 2028 — includes wage increases, higher on-call and shift premiums, and stronger job-security protections for staff. The agreement also expands bereavement leave to include “chosen family” and introduces improved severance and recall rights in cases of layoffs.

In a post on the union’s website, OPSEU described the deal as a “historic” win, saying it was achieved through collective action and the determination of members who stood firm on key priorities.

“This contract was only made possible through five long, difficult weeks on strike,” the union said. “Before we hit the picket lines, we faced an employer refusing dialogue on our top-line priorities and pushing concessions on the table.”

While union leaders acknowledged they did not secure every demand, they said the new contract provides “critical language” to continue protecting bargaining-unit work and pushing back against outsourcing.

For Georgian College and others across the province, the ratification brings stability after weeks of uncertainty — but OPSEU said the broader fight to strengthen Ontario’s publicly funded college system is far from over.

“We put up an incredible fight through a historic strike,” the union added. “Now, it’s time for us to step up as leaders in the ongoing fight to save our colleges.”