TORONTO, August 26 - The bargaining team representing Ontario's 24 colleges has confirmed its offer of salary increases and no concessions from employees in a proposed three-year contract with support staff.
Offer Highlights
• Salary increase over three years:
Year One - a one-time lump sum payment equal to 1.5% of annual salary
Year Two - an annual salary increase of 1.5%
Year Three - an annual salary increase of 1.75%
• The offer will raise the average annual support staff salary by approximately $1,845 to just under $58,172 after three years plus provide an average lump sum payment of $845 in the first year.
• The colleges are not asking for any concessions from employees or any item that would result in two-tier employment conditions.
“We want to reach a negotiated settlement and we have put a good offer on the table,” said Gerry Barker, the chair of the colleges’ bargaining team. “It reflects the realities of the current constrained economic environment and is in line with the pattern of recent settlements within the broader public sector.”
OPSEU continues to demand a three per cent increase every year over the life of the contract and has made no real changes in its monetary items, which would add significant costs to the colleges and are unaffordable.
The union filed notice of its intent to strike on September 1 if a settlement is not reached. There are three more bargaining days scheduled - August 29, 30 and 31.
“No one wants a strike and we know that the best way to avoid a strike is for the colleges and the union to reach a negotiated settlement. However, a negotiated settlement will only be achieved when both sides work together at the table,” said Mr. Barker.