For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 31, 2024
ST. CATHARINES, ON – Brock University Support Staff, represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) District 35, have been without a collective agreement since April 30, 2024. After five months of incredibly slow bargaining with the University administration, members have voted 98.6% in favour of strike action. Despite repeated attempts to move the bargaining process forward, the employer is unwilling to bargain a deal that respects and acknowledges the critical role university support staff play at Brock University.
“This vote signals the deep frustration of our members,” said Wanda Gilmore, President of OSSTF/FEESO District 35. “Our support staff are dedicated professionals, who want to continue serving students and the wider Brock community. To do so, they require fair wages, sustainable working conditions, and a respectful working relationship with the administration. The university has yet to fully address these critical concerns.”
OSSTF/FEESO District 35 has been actively engaged in negotiations with Brock University, advocating for a contract that recognizes the vital role support staff play in ensuring a safe and efficient learning environment for students, while supporting faculty and administrators across the institution. However, after twelve bargaining dates, key issues surrounding compensation, job security, and benefits remain unresolved.
In June, OSSTF/FEESO District 35 filed for conciliation in order to have a neutral third-party help move the negotiations forward. The presence of a conciliator has not resulted in significant progress due to the university’s administration refusal to move off their initial positions.
OSSTF/FEESO District 35 remains committed to negotiating in good faith to avoid disruption and reach a fair agreement that recognizes the hard work and contributions of support staff.
OSSTF/FEESO District 35 calls on Brock University administration to come to the next bargaining date on November 27, 2024, with proposals that respect the dedication and value, support staff bring to the institution.
OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has over 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.