As part of the regular collective bargaining process, the College Employer Council (CEC) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union CAAT-A (OPSEU), the union representing full-time and partial-load faculty, librarians, and counselors at all 24 Ontario colleges, including Humber Polytechnic, have been in negotiations since July 2024.
On October 9, the parties entered conciliation to address the Union's list of demands. In addition, the Union bargaining team requested a strike vote, which occurred from October 15-18. The strike vote was required by OPSEU to ensure the support of its membership prior to taking labour action or to be in a legal strike position. On October 18, the strike vote results were announced with OPSEU members voting in favour of supporting a potential strike.
On November 6, 2024, the CEC and OPSEU mutually agreed to enter non-binding mediation. As part of this process, both parties submitted proposals to the agreed upon neutral mediator, who works with the parties to find common ground and come to an agreement. Mediation took place December 6-8, 2024. On December 9, it was announced that mediation would continue on January 6 and Tuesday January 7, 2025.
On December 12, the OPSEU academic bargaining team requested a no board report from the Ministry of Labour, which was issued on December 18. The no board report gives the Union a position to notify or start labour action, such as a strike, if they choose. The Union provided notice that a possible strike may occur as early as January 9.
Scheduled mediation took place on January 6 and 7. On the evening of January 7, the CEC and OPSEU agreed to enter into binding arbitration averting a strike.
The winter semester begins January 8, as scheduled, and students will continue their semester uninterrupted.
The CEC has posted academic bargaining information and resources for students on its website including an FAQ, a glossary of terms and summary of bargaining to date.
Please also see our FAQ, which we will update as new information becomes available. Please check this page for updates.