OPSEU applies to represent college support staff

Thousands of part-time employees would be affected

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) recently made a bid to become the bargaining agent for part-time support staff in the province’s community colleges.

If the union’s application with the Ontario Labour Relations Board is successful, it will represent thousands of part-time support staff across the province.

OPSEU delivered its application, including signed union cards, to the board on March 7.

“To the best of my knowledge, this is the largest single certification application in Canadian history,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of OPSEU.

“This application covers 24 colleges and more than 100 campuses in every corner of Ontario.”

The union currently represents more than 8,300 full-time support staff at the affected colleges.

A separate bargaining unit is required for full-time and part-time staff under the rules of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act.

Latest stories