Mohawk president hopes for ‘fair settlement’ in labour talks

Faculty members in Ontario give union strike mandate

Faculty members at colleges across the province, including locally at Mohawk College, have voted to give their union a strike mandate.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union announced 68 per cent of its members voted to give the union the ability to call a strike if ongoing collective agreement negotiations fail.

No lockout or strike deadline has been set.

The existing collective agreement for professors, instructors, counsellors and librarians expires Sept. 30.

Mohawk College president Ron McKerlie posted a message to students on Facebook assuring them it is “business as usual” and expressing hope a “fair settlement” will be reached before the current contract expires.

McKerlie said the colleges have offered a 7.5 per cent salary increase with a new maximum salary of $115,094. The offer also includes a lump-sum payment and enhanced benefits with no concessions.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union said in its announcement that college managers have “ignored” proposals to improve “the quality and fairness of the college system.”

It lists key issues as fair treatment for contract faculty and the role of faculty in “academic decision-making.”

Negotiations are expected to resume next week.