By SooToday.com Staff
SooToday.com
Thursday, January 28, 2010

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT COLLEGE

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Ontario colleges bargaining update

Strike can still be avoided

SAULT STE. MARIE - (January 28) - Following the January 13 strike vote, provincial college and union bargaining teams met on January 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27, but have not resolved the major issues before them.

In a last-ditch effort to reach a deal on January 27, the colleges tabled a final settlement position.

Unfortunately, the union bargaining team rejected the college’s final offer. 

In an effort to avoid a strike, the colleges requested that the union take this final offer of settlement to their membership for a vote. 

This approach would allow faculty members to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to accept the offer - a position previously advocated by the union when new terms were introduced in November.

As of the writing of this, the union has not responded to that request. 

Dr. Common stated: “I am deeply disappointed that the parties have not reached agreement. I feel very strongly that the union and the colleges have a mutual responsibility to exhaust every available avenue to avoid a strike. Our students must come first and it is my sincere hope that a strike may still be avoided. Individual faculty members should be given the opportunity to choose to accept the offer or go out on strike.”

If there is a faculty vote on the college’s final offer and it is favourable, there would be a full collective agreement in place.

Most importantly, the strike will be avoided. 

About Sault College

Sault College reaches students through post secondary, continuing education, apprenticeship training and third party contract training.

Sault College offers a full range of programs: Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Post Graduate Certificates, Degrees, and Apprenticeship programs. 

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) surveys demonstrate that almost 90% of Sault College students are employed within six months of graduation and student satisfaction is among the highest in the province.

Sault College, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is one of 24 community colleges in Ontario.

Visit our website at www.saultcollege.ca for more information.

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