Since October 17, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) — which represents employees at numerous Ontario public colleges — has supported a strike mandate. 79 per cent of OPSEU’s voting members support a potential strike if a deal with the College Employer Council (CEC) — a representing agent of the 24 Ontario colleges — is not reached. 

OPSEU’s concerns primarily focus on job precarity, including increased job insecurity, reduced teaching time, and fewer vacation days. 

Although this strike pertains to public colleges, some students at U of T may still be affected, as the university has joint programs with these colleges, such as the journalism program with Centennial College at UTSC and the theatre and drama program with Sheridan College at UTM. 

The last College strike demanding academic autonomy and longer contracts ran from October 15 to November 21, 2017, during which the Ontario legislature passed a bill that forced them back to work. 

Lack of communication

Virag Takacs, a third-year UTSC student in the joint journalism program, spoke with The Varsity about the strike and her concerns over a lack of communication about potential strike action. 

Takacs explained that communication about the strike had been limited for students. “[I] didn’t get a contact from either U of T or Centennial… I found out mostly through word of mouth,” she said. “[We’re] reliant on these institutions… and right now, it doesn’t feel like they are [communicating with us].” 

Centennial last provided an update on negotiations on November 6, stating that the CEC entered non-binding mediation in early December and that the OPSEU can’t strike until after this date. Sheridan posted an Academic Bargaining Update on November 7, stating that “Based on strike requirements and timelines, this means a strike cannot occur in the fall semester.”

Accessing professors

Takacs mentioned that the strike may also impact students’ ability to access their professors.

“If our professor leaves for a strike for various days, then essentially, we don’t have a professor,” she said. She added, “I’m not sure how office hours [will be affected by the] strike. In-person meetings with professors… might not be possible because of it,” she said. 

Takacs also expressed concern over the potential impact of a long-term strike on students in joint programs like hers. “[If professors] aren’t there, we can’t really have an education… In the long run, that would mean we’re essentially not [taking] the classes, so we would probably not be able to graduate at the same time like we would want [to],” she said. 

In an email to The Varsity, a university spokesperson wrote, “Information about colleges, including for students in joint programs, is available [through Ontario Colleges’ website] and the respective colleges: Sheridan College and Centennial College.” 

“We work closely with our college partners to [keep] students [informed] of what is happening and the options available to them, and to minimize disruption as much as possible,” the spokesperson wrote.