Support Staff Bargaining Update

The College has received official notice from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, representing the 24 Colleges across the Province, of its intent to strike beginning September 1st.  Therefore, a strike could occur as early as September 1st with no further notice or anytime thereafter.  However, bargaining continues this week and next and we are hopeful there will be a settlement. We will keep the community informed through regular updates.  Our primary method of communicating will be the College’s website. 

Next week marks Orientation and “move-in” for thousands of our students. Most classes begin the following week and therefore we have an increasing number of inquiries from students and parents about the impact of a strike.  To assist them we have posted a Q and A here as well.  Our key public messages at this time are:

• Bargaining continues and we remain hopeful that a strike can be averted.
• In the event of a strike, Fanshawe classes at all campuses will continue and we will do everything we can to lessen the impact of a strike on students.
• We will issue picket line protocol information to visitors.  The protocol document will remind people that respect and safety for everyone is paramount.   
• The College’s website will be our primary means of communicating with the general public. 

A College contingency committee and several areas are planning in the event of a strike. We will continue to monitor the progress of bargaining and provide student, employees and the general public more information as soon as possible.