Backgrounder


Collective Bargaining In Ontario Colleges

June 10, 2008

The McGuinty Government has introduced legislation which, if passed, would extend collective bargaining rights to part-time college workers.

Under the proposed legislation, part-time college workers would be included in collective bargaining processes. Full-time college workers already have access to collective bargaining under current legislation. Collective bargaining in colleges is covered by the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act. Most other Ontario workplaces are covered by the Labour Relations Act for collective bargaining.

In August 2007, the government announced its intention to introduce this change as part of its plans to modernize the college system and ensure students get the high-quality education they deserve from stable and well-run institutions.

Kevin Whitaker, Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, was appointed by the government to conduct a review of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act. A public review process took place and on February 1, 2008, a final report was submitted to the government. Included in the report were recommendations on how to amend the Act and extend collective bargaining rights to part-time college workers to modernize the collective bargaining process and better serve the needs of students, colleges and workers.

In addition to extending collective bargaining to part-time workers, the proposed legislation would amend bargaining processes at colleges, making them more consistent with the Labour Relations Act. Proposed changes would:

  • Establish two new bargaining units for colleges, one for part-time and sessional academic staff and one for part-time support staff
  • Create a certification process allowing part-time workers to choose their bargaining agent
  • Establish a new employer bargaining agent to represent all colleges. This responsibility is currently held by the College Compensation and Appointments Council, a government-appointed agency
  • Allow the Minister of Labour to appoint a conciliation officer or mediator during contract negotiations, as is the practice under the Labour Relations Act
  • Change the collective bargaining process for the sector, giving the parties more ownership over the process.

Proposed changes to the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act would improve the collective bargaining process at colleges and fulfill the government's commitment to extend collective bargaining to part-time college workers.

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