By: Sam Aucoin
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employees Council have agreed to go to arbitration, which will last until the end of June. As a result, Seneca students, along with college students across the province, came into class this morning, knowing their winter semesters would not be affected and those graduating following the term would have a clear path.
Following the news, Seneca Polytechnic president, David Agnew sent out a message to students Wednesday morning, informing them that “there will be no disruption to [their] studies and the arbitrator will resolve any outstanding negotiating issues, avoiding any labour action.”
The OPSEU gave notice last Friday of a province wide strike that would have begun today. It then said in a statement late Tuesday night that it had signed a written message of agreement.
While colleges in Ontario are strike free for the time being, York University could be back on strike watch as the university’s staff association has now held multiple strike votes which have been collected this week. Voting for staff has been held in-person at the Founders Assembly Hall and/or online via Zoom.
This comes after around 3,000 York workers took labour action last February. University instructors, assistants, and graduate assistants concluded their strike in April. The York University Staff Association has not made any further comments regarding strike action.
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