‘We support your demand’: Local rally for college workers on strike

Following a province-wide walkout by support workers in Ontario colleges on Sept. 11, local unions showed their support by rallying on Friday.

The solidarity rally, organized by the London and District Labour Council, was held over the noon hour to support Fanshawe college workers.

“We support your demand for better working and learning conditions. We support your resistance against privatization. And above all, we support your call for a fair and just deal,” said John Bernans, OSSTF District 11 President.

Representatives from local unions attended in an effort to stand by the striking OPSEU Local 109 members. About 650 members from Fanshawe, who fill most of the non-academic roles in the school, are facing the impacts of staffing cuts at the college.

The OPSEU 109 president, Adam Rayfield, addressed the crowd, “Your presence here today, and on the last for the last nine days, has held us up and has allowed us to continue. So, my sincere thanks to each and every one of you.”

Across Ontario, 10,000 support staff, including library technologists, facilities and trades workers and staff in financial aid and registrar offices, hit picket lines after contract negotiations between OPSEU and the College Employer Council broke down.

The workers’ top priority in this round of bargaining is job security, their union said.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has said that nearly 10,000 college faculty and staff have either been laid off or are projected to lose their jobs amid hundreds of program cancellations and suspensions at colleges across Ontario since last year.

Although classes are continuing, students aren’t receiving the same level of support.

According to Rayfield, the strike impacts student access to counselling, accessibility services, library, bookstore, print shop and other services that enhance student experience.

- With files from Catherine Morrison in Ottawa and CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell