Union reportedly rejects offer; colleges call for vote
Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:52:35 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The president of Conestoga College remains optimistic a new deal can be reached with teachers. John Tibbits says despite reports earlier today that the union for Ontario’s 24 community colleges had rejected a final offer he’s hopeful of an agreement.
Tibbits tells 570 News the current offer improves on the previous advance. In the case of Conestoga College, Tibbits says that means a three-year deal as opposed to a four-year offer. He also takes comfort in the fact that less than half of the province’s college teachers actually voted in favour of a strike. While 57 per cent of those that voted said they would strike for a new deal, Tibbits says only 77 per cent of teachers turned out for the vote. He suggests that means there is no overwhelming strike mandate.
Tibbits is emphatic that the union should be allowed to vote on the latest offer from the colleges. OPSEU has not said if it will allow its 9,000 members to do that. A strike could affect classes for 200,000 full-time college students in Ontario.
