‘A lot of things are on hold’: Local unions face uncertain future as Conestoga College administrator settles in

Union leaders say things at Conestoga College are ‘on hold’ as a provincially appointed administrator begins her work. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk reports

The future of Conestoga College remains in limbo as staff, students and local union leaders wait for direction from the newly-appointed administrator.

Earlier this month, the Ontario government put Linda Franklin in charge of overseeing the college following a scathing audit that uncovered financial misuse and governance failings.

Franklin previously served as the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, an association that represents Ontario’s 24 public colleges.

The province-ordered audit revealed “numerous egregious financial decisions.” It was triggered by a rise in former college president John Tibbits’ salary. Following the audit’s release, the province also dissolved the college’s board of governors.

Since Franklin was appointed, union leaders say time has seemed to stand still.

“Linda Franklin has quite a job ahead of her,” said Leopold Koff, president of OPSEU Local 237. The union represents Conestoga College faculty members.

“A lot of things are on hold right now,” he continued. “But it seems like all of the management level are just holding their breath, waiting for the next order, and nobody knows what that’s going to be.”

Part of the inaction involves a pause on a second wave of faculty layoffs that were in the works when Franklin came in. The move comes after 378 full-time faculty and support staff received layoff notices just before Christmas.

“We have a significant amount of people on recall,” said Vikki Poirier, president of OPSEU Local 238, the union representing support staff at the college. “It would be nice to see some of those folks back. I don’t know if we can reverse things after the fact, but here we are.”

Union leaders said they’re also asking Franklin and the Ford government to put in a term limit for college presidents.

“Not too long, but not too short,” said Koff. “But to have that term maximum so you don’t get the empire building situation that we had with John Tibbits.”

Koff and Poirier said they hope their demands don’t fall on deaf ears. They’ve requested a meeting with Franklin and heard back, however, a date has not yet been set.

“It’s a start of a discussion,” Koff said. “The fact that she communicated directly with us. So we’ll see what happens from here.”

CTV News reached out to Franklin for comment and received a statement.

“I am honoured to serve the province as administrator,” Franklin said. “And I look forward to working alongside the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to restore fiscal management and strong governance to Conestoga College.”

Poirier and Koff said they’re hopeful Franklin will listen to their concerns.

“Hopefully this is a good sign, but I guess time will tell,” said Poirier.

“What are her marching orders?” asked Koff. “Is it positive, or is it another? And we don’t know yet.”