Strike at Conestoga College, Ontario colleges over, tentative deal reached
Posted Oct 15, 2025 04:29:05 AM.
Last Updated Oct 15, 2025 03:09:00 PM.
The five-week-old strike by full-time support staff at Conestoga College and all other public colleges in Ontario is over.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said in a statement around 4 a.m. Wednesday that a tentative deal has been reached with the College Employer Council.
The union representing the roughly 10,000 striking support staff announced that picket lines will be taken down on Wednesday, and staff will return to work on Thursday.
Christine Kelsey, chair of the union’s bargaining team, said, “We’ve won more than a contract.”
She said the public now understands that the college system “is being deliberately defunded as part of the collateral of Ford’s devastating privatization agenda.”
JP Hornick, president of OPSEU/SEFPO, said, “Full-time college support staff took on a tremendous fight, and I’m incredibly proud of our members for getting us to this moment.”
Details of the tentative settlement will be presented to OPSEU members on Wednesday afternoon.
OPSEU says the deal includes multiple improvements, including an across-the-board increase of $1.05/hr for all workers in the first year of the new three-year contract, and enhanced job protections against technological changes.
“Support staff play an important role in our colleges, supporting operations and contributing to student success,” said Graham Lloyd, CEO of the College Employer Council. “We are grateful to have them back to work.”
The strike began on Sept. 11. The ratification vote is set to be held on Nov. 4.
