Education and Training

Students, faculty and staff at the college refused to cross a picket line set up by striking workers.

'This vote is not an endorsement of the imposed terms and conditions or the employer’s last offer. Fear of a strike, according to most reports, was a key factor.'

Protecting quality and reversing privatization are the goals of new Ontario University Coalition

Ontario Public Service Employees Union says mail-in ballots remain to be counted over the next 10 days.

Date pushed back to accommodate Feb. 10 vote on a concession-laced management offer that the union is encouraging all faculty members to reject.

'We have a solution if the colleges are serious about addressing our issues.' - Ted Montgomery, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team.

Faculty members cast ballots across the province after management walked away from the bargaining table.

'The fact that scab labour is being used to carry out the work of persons with disabilities and their job coaches is almost unfathomable.' - Carol Furlong.

Government revenues can only be restored by creating good paying jobs that allow workers to pay taxes to the province, says OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Faculty members at Ontario's 24 community colleges taking strike vote on Jan. 13.

Province-wide strike vote will be held Jan. 13 after management walks away from bargaining table.

9,000 teachers at Ontario's 24 community colleges will hold strike vote on Jan. 13.

Underfunding and no-deficit policy at BC Institute of Technology means students and staff have fewer options.

Support staff at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish vote to join provincial public sector union.

'We tabled an offer that is affordable and which should have been acceptable. It is well within the range of other recent public sector agreements.' - Ted Montgomery.

“We are very pleased to welcome these new members at St. FX to the NSGEU/NUPGE. They will find a home here amongst our locals at other universities and colleges across the province” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome.

'Imposing a collective agreement is wrong, and it should stop now. If they want a strike, they will get a strike the likes of which they have never seen before.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

'No alternative but to go to our membership and seek a strike mandate.' - OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

'New York City invests twice as much per student in public education as Toronto.'

Chronic government underfunding has created a problem for Canadian post-secondary institutions and their students.

OPSEU seeking Ontario Labour Relations Board hearing as soon as possible to resolve the impasse.

A 2009 study shows that employers receive, on average, a benefit of $1.47 for every $1 invested in apprenticeship training, up 9 cents since the 2006 pilot study.

Presentation by Warren (Smokey) Thomas to Ontario's standing committee on justice policy.

The B.C. Liberal government has accepted federal apprenticeship dollars while burying the news that they've cut funds for the agency which oversees apprenticeships.

Undercover journalist reveals the extent of deception some private colleges practice.

The report confirmed what students have identified for years, that higher tuition fees are a barrier to access for students from low-income and middle-low income families.

Lone janitors cannot do all the extra bathroom and desk cleaning now being demanded of them.

10,000 part-timers at Ontario's 24 community colleges can opt for OPSEU as their voice at work.

The closure of two Academy of Learning campuses in Saskatchewan confirms that post-secondary education and training should not be left to the private sector.

The decision proved to be unpopular among parents and teachers and sparked a flurry of complaints to the ministry.

'I think making sure that the adequate resources and support are there to operate the classroom in an effective way is the top priority.' - Wayne MacKay.

Red River College receives $4.25M in funding for infrastructure projects

Workers at colleges and institutes, including instructors and support staff, met for a two-day meeting in Ottawa.

Bolstering funding to Community Colleges and Institutions is essential to full economic recovery and the building of a green economy.

'Basically, it’s a strategy to have the application (to unionize) dismissed without counting the vote.' - Connie Huziak

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in the UK report that four in 10 teachers have faced verbal or physical aggression from a pupil's parents or guardian.

Clarification is important because the internet is now the biggest mode of communication that people have. A 2009 University of Toronto survey of more than 2000 students found 50 per cent had been bullied online.

Transferring operating funds to capital budget while projecting deficits and threatening cutbacks.

The union negotiating team recommending acceptance. Ratification votes will take place in the coming weeks.

Vote March 3-4 by more than 150 employees of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

'The colleges should quit wasting taxpayers’ money on a fight they’ve already lost.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) in 14 public sector bargaining units have voted to accept their tentative agreements.

Colleges have asked Ontario Labour Relations Board to deny application for certification outright - want the ballot boxes to remain sealed and they don’t want the votes to be counted.  Union calls on Minister to act.

'There remains much work to be done in restoring public services in this province.' - Patty Rout

The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) has launched a new campaign to promote the value of public services.

Royal Assent given to Bill 90, ending more than 35 years of discrimination

OPSEU recommending acceptance of deal that averted a province-wide strike

Ratification vote to be supervised by labour ministry

More than 7,000 support workers set to strike on Monday if no settlement is reached

OPSEU hopeful that strong strike mandate by workers will soften management approach

Walkout at 24 Ontario colleges could begin by Sept. 1 if no settlement is reached before then

More than 6,500 support staff at 24 Ontario community colleges have authorized a possible strike, turning down the college’s latest contract offer in a province-wide vote held July 10 and 16.

New Ontario bill eliminates provisions forbidding scabs during college strikes and lockouts

Union concerned by delay in report promised by the premier

Demanding immediate legislation to allow unionization at 24 Ontario campuses

OPSEU president accuses Premier Dalton McGuinty of breaking promise

Three year contract with annual increases of 2.9%

'There is no justification for excluding these employees from collective bargaining. Part-time employees should be immediately granted the right to unionize.'

Union stands firm despite enduring incredible pressure from management and the media  

OPSEU demands crackdown against attempts by college managers to thwart unionization of part-timers  

Based on extensive consultations with appropriate professionals across the province

Wage increases will take effect on signing and retroactive cheques will be issued in early April or May

'Good managers support our campaign.' - Roger Couvrette

12,500 part-time college workers invited to sign cards

Ontario will introduce legislation in 2008 following review by Kevin Whitaker

Saskatchewan study finds $8,000 a year advantage for journeymen

'The whole concept of the college is to raise the bar.'

Time for all Ontario political parties to end the prohibition on organizing

'Student assistants are recognized as an integral part of our children’s education.' - Carol Furlong

'We applaud the students who have come forward to expose these illegal charges.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas

The drive to organize part-time college faculty and support workers in Ontario

Update on the organizing campaign in the Ontario's 24 community colleges

College funding and resource management among areas still waiting to be addressed, OPSEU says

Major drive underway to organize 17,000 workers at 24 Ontario colleges

Hearing delays signing of new collective agreement

'I am appalled by the Harper government's lack of action on public post-secondary education issues.' - James Clancy

Major campaign underway at 24 college campuses across Ontario

Legislation outlawing unionization violates International Labour Organization standards

1,100 workers affected at campuses across Manitoba

Reaching a fair negotiated settlement without a disruption can no longer be guaranteed

'I am calling on the minister to take immediate action.' - Carol Furlong

Unethical to target young children with product associated with obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth decay and other ailments, OPSEU says

'He was very well liked. He just had a way about him.'

Province accepts solution proposed by OPSEU; Most students will be back in class on Monday

'I want to thank you for standing up for quality education in this province.' - Larry Brown

Ontario college dispute 'clearly' not going to be settled by negotiation - James Clancy

'We need your help to send a message to the government and the administration. - Leah Casselman

OPSEU hopes management 'gets the message' from huge weekend rally

Colleges and universities free to boost rates by 5% average across the board

Management hardens demands as strike deadline arrives, driving two sides further apart

'53% more full-time students, 22% fewer full-time faculty.'

Support staff at Ontario's 24 community colleges ratified a new collective agreement today, averting a strike by more than 6,000 members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Vocational instructors at Okanagan College have voted in favour of accepting a new three-year contract that provides for a wage increase and other measures that allow instructors to convert seldom-used benefits into a commensurate pay increase.

The BCGEU announced today that Okanagan University College will join rotating strike action, with picket lines being set up at campuses on Tuesday to support the union’s attempt to negotiate a fair settlement for its members.

Unionized support staff at eight campuses of Northern Lights College in communities spread across northeastern B.C. have voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action to back up demands for a fair contract settlement.

All workers in England who do not have basic qualifications or skills will be offered extra training, the Chancellor has announced. He announced that a pilot scheme to encourage firms to release staff for training was to be extended nationally.

A new study commissioned by college and university students, faculty and staff addresses key funding, student assistance and accessibility issues under consideration by the PSE Review led by former Premier Bob Rae.

About 130 members of the BCGEU will be holding a strike vote this week after contract talks covering support staff who work at the eight campuses of Northern Lights College throughout northern B.C. broke down last Friday in Fort St. John.

Professors at 18 CEGEPs, including Vanier and Dawson, are off the job for the morning of Thursday, November 25, 2004 to protest the Charest government's plan to overhaul CEGEPs.

One would expect a government led by the NDP to invest in education – whether it is in early childhood or K-S4 or Post-Secondary. In many areas, this government has taken positive steps forward.

OPSEU members from the College Academic, College Support and Universities Sectors met with Bob Rae to present a submission on the future of post-secondary funding and quality. Read OPSEU president Leah Casselman's remarks.

The fourth week of bargaining to renew the Common Agreement for more than 6,600 post-secondary educators and employers in B.C. focused on educational technology, international education, health and welfare benefits and leaves.

Newfoundland and Labrador is in the midst of a consultation process on its public post-secondary education system. The government has retained a commissioner and staff to conduct consultations, review submissions, and prepare recommendations.

After negotiations for a new contract broke down about 620 support staff at the B.C. Institute of Technology in Burnaby will be taking a strike vote to press their demands for fair treatment from the Campbell government.Workers to hold strike vote.

Some 370 Douglas College support staff workers will be taking a strike vote after negotiations for a new contract broke down this afternoon. Negotiations broke down over fair wage increase. Some 370 Douglas College support staff workers will be taking a strike vote after negotiations for a new contract broke down this afternoon.

Updates on: Keewatin Community College; St. Boniface College Professors; St. Boniface College Support; and, St. Boniface College Teachers.

Support Staff with Saint Mary’s University (SMU) in Halifax voted 90% in favour of accepting a new contract. The 163 members of NSGEU/NUPGE Local 79 work in clerical, secretarial, technical, and library operational support roles.

Ontario (July 2004) - An arbitration award has decided that all the terms and conditions of our collective agreement apply to 'persons employed temporarily during the College vacation periods.'

Unions and employers in the colleges, university colleges and institutes exchanged proposals during a bargaining session to renew the Common Agreement. Following the initial exchange, the parties have agreed to finalize the scope of common table negotiations by June 21st.

Operational Support Staff with Saint Mary's University in Halifax have voted 92% in favour of strike action. The 163 members of NSGEU Local 79 work in clerical, secretarial, technical, and library operational support roles.

The BCGEU continues to raise questions about the process and financial wisdom behind the Campbell government’s decision to move the B.C. Open University, currently headquartered in Burnaby, to new facilities yet to be built in Kamloops.

NBPEA 2nd Vice President Victor Stanton's presentation to New Brunswick's 'pre-budget consultations' held by Finance Minister Volpé.

Members of the BCGEU and College Institute Educators’ Association (CIEA) college and institute bargaining teams met on February 7, 2004 in Vancouver to set their priorities for bargaining.