Various media is reporting that the Ontario government has just tabled a back to work legislation that would, if passed, force striking OPSEU Local 613 members back to work.
This legislation could see students back in class in all 24 Ontario Colleges on Monday.
After voting down a back-to-work offer from the College Employer Council, the group which represents Ontario’s 24 community colleges earlier today, OPSEU spokes persons said they were anxious to return to the bargaining table but talks reportedly broke down again, leading Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to issue a statement saying back-to-work legislation had been tabled in Parliament.
As reported earlier by SooToday, the Colleges' offer, which OPSEU rejected, includes a 7.75 per cent salary increase over four years, improved benefits and addressing of concerns regarding part-time faculty.
OPSEU stated the issue of academic freedom for faculty over how they deliver course material and other “serious concessions” still remain.