KINGSTON – The union representing Ontario’s two dozen community colleges, including St. Lawrence College, has set a strike deadline for 12:01 a.m. Monday (Oct. 16).
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union claims the bargaining team for the colleges, the College Employer Council, walked away from the table.
The council says it’s presented its final offer, which includes a 7.75 per cent salary increase over four years, a full-time faculty maximum salary of $115,378 and an “improved conversion” of contract faculty to full-time positions.
St. Lawrence College President Glenn Vollebregt issued a statement last night to staff and students at the Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall campuses.
If a strike happens Monday, classes for full-time programs would be suspended, as well a clinical and field placements for full-time programs.
Continuing education, distance education and Ontario Learn would continue, the college states.
The campuses would remain open and services would be operating as usual, including computer labs, study spaces and the online assignment program Blackboard.
“We remain optimistic that a negotiated settlement will be reached and a work stoppage will be avoided,” says a statement from SLC.