OPSEU's new $5,000 demand moves parties further apart
Return to work signing bonus would be funded by student hardship fund
Colleges offer arbitration path to end strike today – OPSEU refuses
TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - OPSEU tabled new demands for a $5,000 return to work bonus for each striking faculty member, while refusing to agree to resolve the strike through arbitration.
"OPSEU actions at the table moved us further away from a settlement," said Sonia Del Missier, Chair, Colleges' Bargaining Team. "Today's bargaining should have been focused on getting students back to class, but OPSEU chose the path of signing bonuses for faculty and a dismissal of arbitration."
OPSEU's new demand for a $5,000 return to work bonus for each striking faculty member would be diverted away from the student hardship fund that Minister Matthews announced last week.
The colleges proposed that students return to classes immediately and all outstanding issues be sent to arbitration. The union refused to agree and instead demanded that the colleges accept the $5,000 payment to faculty.
Minister Matthews had suggested using the government task force on the future of Ontario colleges. Colleges to help deal with outstanding issues propose sending outstanding item of academic freedom to government task force – again OPSEU refused.
We are in support of the government introducing back to work legislation as soon as possible.
SOURCE College Employer Council
David Scott, [email protected], 416-786-1641
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