Indigenous The FAQ below is intended to help students and the SLC community be informed about the bargaining process between the College Employer Council (CEC) representing Ontario’s 24 colleges and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing all full-time support staff. Where possible, it outlines possible next steps in the process.
During bargaining and throughout the year, SLC is committed to student success and ensuring uninterrupted continuation of classes and academic progress. The college and our students have not lost a semester due to labour action in the past.
Students are encouraged to continue to monitor their SLC email and this page for updates.
A strike vote is a formal process where unionized employees vote on whether to give their union the authority to call a strike if contract negotiations with their employer break down.
Once a majority of employees vote in favour of a strike, the union may call a strike without further input from employees. The vote has occurred, and there is the possibility of a legal strike as early as September 11, 2025. Information is available at Bargaining | College Employer Council - CEC and at Colleges – OPSEU SEFPO.
Members of the full-time support staff union are employees who regularly work more than 24 hours per week in positions or classifications such as office, clerical, technical, health care, maintenance, building service, shipping, transportation, cafeteria, security, parking, academic technologist and more. This includes some members of the registrar’s office and student services offices. This vote does not involve academic professors, librarians, counsellors, or instructors and those classified as administrative employees or management.
At the colleges, strikes are usually peaceful forms of protest. Picket lines may be formed by striking employees and there can be delays while accessing campuses.
A strike may take different forms. In general, it is a refusal to work in the normal way that is designed to slow down, disrupt, or stop college operations. A strike is organized by a union as a form of protest typically in an attempt to force the colleges to agree to demands.
There are different forms of strikes: work-to-rule, partial walk-out, rotating strike, and full walk-out strike.
The current collective bargaining agreement for full-time support staff at Ontario colleges expired on August 31, 2025. A strike can technically take place any day after that.
There is the possibility of a legal strike around September 11, 2025.
However, a number of steps must be taken before the union can strike:
i. Conciliation - If negotiations stall, either party can request the Minister of Labour to appoint a conciliation officer to help reach an agreement.
ii. No-Board Report - If conciliation fails, the officer reports to the Minister, who may issue a “no-board” notice. This means no conciliation board will be appointed, and it starts the countdown to a legal strike.
iii. Waiting Period - After the no-board notice is issued, the union must wait 17 days before legally striking.
iv. Notice of strike - If the union decides to take its members on a strike, they must first provide the colleges with 5 days’ notice.
For information about a strike at your college, please check your email, and watch for updates on this page. You can also find timely information at Bargaining | College Employer Council - CEC and at Colleges – OPSEU SEFPO.
Stay informed by checking your college email and this page for updates. Anyone coming to campus is encouraged to allow for extra time for travelling as picket lines may be set up at campus entrances and limit traffic flow.
Not necessarily. This strike does not directly involve full-time or part-time professors and most academic employees. The striking employees work in positions or classifications such as office, clerical, technical, health care, maintenance, building service, shipping, transportation, cafeteria, security, parking, academic technologist, and more. This does include some members of the registrar’s office and student services teams, so those areas and services may be impacted.
Yes. In Ontario, other employee groups cannot legally join a strike unless they are part of the same bargaining unit. Full-time and part-time professors/instructors and academic employees (such as librarians and counsellors) as well as part-time support staff will continue working.
However, support staff provide a wide range of student services which will be impacted. The college will provide additional details and information here if a strike does happen.
Support staff provide a wide range of student services which will be impacted, but colleges will very likely continue to operate if feasible. Services could be delayed or modified. Details will be shared here and via email to help students plan accordingly.
Classes will be progressing, and the academic year will continue as planned.
Colleges will do everything they can to minimize the impact of a strike on students. Student support services may be impacted by the strike - colleges will communicate to their college community about any impacts the strike will have on services.
Yes, but please note response time or the process may be impacted by a strike. Students are encouraged to complete tasks early if possible, and to be patient while teams adjust in case of a strike. Specific details will be shared by SLC if a strike occurs.
The college will continue working to provide you with a world-class college experience, and classes and programs are planned to proceed as per usual. The normal rules for refunds will continue to apply during a strike.
Firstly, the colleges continue to bargain with the union in an effort to reach a renewal collective agreement. As well, colleges have been preparing contingency plans and will communicate updates to students regularly should a strike occur.
For information about a strike at your college, please check your student email and this page for updates. You can also find information at Bargaining | College Employer Council - CEC and at Colleges – OPSEU SEFPO.
Additional FAQs for International Students
Yes, unless your college advises otherwise. Monitor your email and college website for any changes.
Your study permit remains active and valid if there is a strike. A support staff strike is unlikely to affect your academic progress. Colleges will work to support your academic progress and maintain your student status during a strike.
A strike will not impact your eligibility for your PGWP.
Some services for international students may be delayed or impacted by a strike. If a strike occurs, please monitor your college email and this page for updates. You can also find information at Bargaining | College Employer Council - CEC and at Colleges – OPSEU SEFPO.
No. Faculty are not part of this strike, so classes should continue as scheduled. Check your Blackboard and email to confirm specific details about classes.
Contact your college, as usual. Check your college’s international student office website for updates about the impact on services by a strike. The college may offer alternative contact methods during a strike.
Colleges are currently working on contingency plans in the event of a strike. Events, such as convocations, will be considered in those plans and updates will be provided to the people involved at each college, individually.