Full-time support staff have been on strike since Sept. 11; colleges say talks are at a standstill

THUNDER BAY – POLITICS & EDUCATION – Collective bargaining between Ontario’s 24 public colleges and full-time support staff represented by OPSEU/SEFPO (CAAT-S, Full-Time) remains unresolved, with workers on strike since 12:01 a.m., September 11, 2025 after no deal was reached at the bargaining table.

The Colleges Employer Council (CEC) says the parties are “at a standstill,” arguing that OPSEU’s current package would add significant costs and risk further service disruptions. OPSEU counters that members are “ramping up to win,” stressing job security, workloads and staffing as core issues amid sectoral turbulence.

A recent interview with James Murray from NetNewsLedger with CEC CEO Graham Lloyd published September 22 discusses the ongoing work stoppage and the employer’s position during the dispute.

Lloyd outlines the four demands from OPSEU which the CEC simply will not accept, and states there will be no deal until they are removed.

What’s on the table—and how we got here

• Strike began Sept. 11: OPSEU says 10,000+ full-time support staff walked off after negotiations failed.

• Employer position: CEC statements say OPSEU demands are unaffordable and that talks can’t progress unless costs come down. Earlier this summer, the CEC floated binding mediation/arbitration after OPSEU sought a No-Board Report.

• Union position: OPSEU highlights job security, workload, and staffing pressures in a college system hit by budget volatility; the union has showcased solidarity actions across campuses.

Local impact: What Thunder Bay students and staff should expect

While instruction continues where possible, colleges warn of delays or reduced capacity in key services typically delivered by support staff—registrar and admissions, financial aid, IT help desks, testing centres, libraries, placement coordination and campus services. Colleges are posting daily FAQs and service updates for applicants and students. Confederation College learners in Thunder Bay should monitor official channels for program-specific details. (Examples of typical impacts are outlined by several colleges and the Ontario Colleges application service.)

For Northwestern Ontario, where colleges serve a high proportion of Indigenous, northern and remote learners, prolonged disruption can ripple through clinical placements, apprenticeship intakes, housing timelines and student aid disbursements—areas that often rely heavily on support staff coordination.

What happens next?

• Talks resume if terms shift: The CEC says it’s ready to return if OPSEU scales back cost drivers; OPSEU says member support is strong and actions will continue.

• Potential third-party resolution: Binding mediation/arbitration remains a possible off-ramp if both sides agree (or if directed through another process).

• Escalation risk: A yes vote by part-time support staff in mid-October could heighten pressure on the employer and increase campus-level service disruption.

What students and families can do now

• Check your college’s strike page for daily service availability and deadlines.

• Watch for OCAS updates if you are applying for January or May intakes; application processing continues but responses may be delayed.

• Ask programs about placements and labs—some may proceed with modified staffing or schedules.

NetNewsLedger will continue to track bargaining developments, local service impacts at Confederation College, and student support measures across Thunder Bay and the Northwest.

NetNewsLedger will reach out to OPSEU to get their side of the issue on the record.