On Jan. 3, the CAAT-A bargaining team representing full-time and partial-load professors, instructors, librarians and counsellors gave the required five days’ notice for strike action. That means labour action could begin on Jan. 9. 

Labour action does not necessarily mean a full walk-out strike, and at this time, it is unclear what kind of labour action faculty will engage in. Students should be prepared for work-to-rule, meaning college faculty would perform only the duties they are assigned, making them unavailable during non-working hours; a partial walk-out, meaning faculty will no longer perform some of their assigned duties; rotating picketing, which means faculty walk out entirely for short periods of time; or a full walk-out strike, which would result in the total pausing of all academic duties by faculty, interrupting classes. 

Notice was provided prior to the College Employer Council (CEC) and the CAAT-A bargaining team sitting for another round of mediation from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7. OPSEU, the union representing college faculty, has previously stated they felt the CEC had not been bargaining in good faith, and in a statement released Jan. 3, said, “the CEC continues to table language that works against faculty interests at a time where colleges are threatening frontline workers with austerity and the majority of  courses being delivered by faculty who work on precarious contracts, with no job security and little to no benefits.”

The CEC meanwhile, continues to argue that strike action is unnecessary, claiming that CAAT-A’s demands are “unaffordable” and “unreasonable.”

“We want to avoid an unnecessary strike,” said Graham Lloyd, CEO of CEC in a statement released Jan. 6. “We urge OPSEU to set aside its focus on going out on strike and instead enter mediation this week with more realistic demands so we can get a deal done.”

What students need to know:

• Students should continue to attend classes as scheduled until a strike or labour action is announced. Some labour action, such as work-to-rule, may allow classes to resume as usual, so keep an eye on your Fanshawe email for the most up-to-date information. 

• A strike on Jan. 9 could still be avoided. Keep an eye on your Fanshawe email throughout the evening hours of Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 to know for sure if strike action will occur.

• Historically, no semester has been lost due to a strike. Students have always been provided with opportunities to complete classes and graduate, though this may lead to an extended semester or delayed exams. 

Click here to follow along with updates from Fanshawe College, and check your email regularly for information.