Students left to cope as college support staff walk off the job

Facilities staff at Fanshawe strike after OPSEU failed to reach an agreement with Ontario colleges. CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

It’s not the college education Anlel Yakhis and Brayden Korkola were expecting. Rather, it’s more of a cruel life lesson.

“We have to have classes online,” explained Korkola.

“Yeah, just for two weeks. We have to take Chromebooks home,” added Yakhis.

They’re trying to complete their high school credits at a program inside Fanshawe College. But, in just the second week of classes, they’ve already hit a roadblock.

“And because of the strike, me and my friend right here, we are both in the program, and we can’t go to class for two weeks because of the strike,” Yakhis explained.

“Especially the transition from high school to college,” said Korkola.

“It’s a very different transition. You know, high school we had to do online for two years ‘cause of COVID, and it’s kind of just not it. So, coming to college with the big expectation and having to do online is not what we looked for.”

10,000 support staff at Ontario’s 24 community colleges hit picket lines Thursday after contract negotiations between OPSEU and the College Employer Council broke down.

At Fanshawe College, there are about 700 full-time support staff.

Adam Rayfield is the president OPSEU Local 109, representing support staff. He says the absence of support workers will be felt almost immediately.

“Student services, things like counseling, accessibility services, think the library and learning commons, think the bookstore, think the print shop, all those places that students utilize to enhance their experience, let alone the folks that support the labs that teach them,” said Rayfield.

Striking workers were joined on the London picket line Thursday by London NDP MPPs, Teresa Armstrong, Terence Kernaghan, and Peggy Sattler. Sattler, who serves as the party’s shadow minister for colleges and universities, blames government underfunding for the strike.

“The Ford government has refused to invest,” said Sattler.

“They’re siphoning public dollars into private training providers instead of supporting our public colleges.”

Fanshawe College, which is not involved in negotiations, issued a statement saying classes will continue during the strike. It read, in part:

All Fanshawe campuses will remain open and all scheduled classes, labs, and learning activities are proceeding as usual. The college is asking employees, students, and the public to be patient and expect delays in being able to cross picket lines to access our campuses.

Essential student services will be available but may be limited or there may be longer than usual wait times. Some non-essential services may be closed.