Carleton University campus safety workers strike

Concerns include job security and sufficient staffing: Union

Campus safety workers at Ottawa’s Carleton University are on strike.

“Our members are deeply disappointed that we are not able to reach an agreement with Carleton University,” said Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) negotiator Nelson Ross Laguna.

Key issues leading to the labour action include job security and a lack of sufficient staffing to ensure campus safety.

While the university has grown from 20,000 students in 2007 to more than 30,000 students today, the union said the number of campus safety workers has not increased correspondingly.

“Nobody wants a strike,” said Ross Laguna, “but we will do what it takes to ensure the employer comes back to the table ready to negotiate a fair agreement with their campus safety workers.”

OPSEU Local 404 represents 50 campus safety workers including special constables, dispatchers, campus safety officers and student safety patrollers.

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