Strike Mandate Student FAQ

Updated March 14, 2022

What is a strike?
What does a full walk-out strike mean?
Will classes run during a full walk-out strike?
How long will this strike last?
Can I access campus during a full walk-out strike?
How could strike action impact the Winter 2022 semester?
Will a full walk-out strike impact Convocation?
My teacher said the Colleges/CEC forced a strike, is that true?
Why are the Colleges escalating the situation instead of agreeing to interest arbitration?
Why doesn’t the government get involved with College bargaining?
The Faculty have said this isn’t about money, is it?
What can’t the Colleges agree to?
Where can I learn more about negotiations and strike action?

Updated February 24, 2022

When will negotiations be over between CEC and Faculty?
Will the current bargaining impasse affect my midterms or study week?
How long can faculty work-to-rule?
What should I do if my teacher tells me they can’t help me because they are engaging in work-to-rule?
Why doesn’t the government get involved with College bargaining?
Why won’t the CEC rejoin the Union at the bargaining table?
Why won’t the CEC agree to Voluntary Binding Interest Arbitration?

Does labour action mean a strike?
Is introducing terms and conditions the same as a lock-out?
Will introducing terms and conditions affect my classes?
Will introducing terms and conditions affect me getting my grades on time?
Will the Colleges force faculty to go on strike?
Are the Colleges escalating the situation instead of going back to the table?
Why don’t the Colleges agree to voluntary binding interest arbitration if that’s what happens after a strike anyways?
Why did the CEC propose Final Offer Selection?
The Faculty have said this isn’t about money, is it?
Why did the CEC walk away from the table?
Where can I learn more about negotiations and strike actions?


Q: What is a strike?

  • A strike may take different forms. In general, it is a refusal to work in the normal way that is designed to slow down, disrupt, or stop operations. A strike is organized by a Union as a form of protest typically in an attempt to force the employer to agree to their demands.
  • Unfortunately, in the Colleges, when a faculty member chooses to apply pressure by slowing down, disrupting or stopping work, these actions lead to varying degrees of negative impact on students.

Q: What does a full walk-out strike mean?

  • In a full walk-out strike, employees withdraw all their services and choose to walk the picket line.
  • Teachers picketing do not teach during a full walk-out strike.

Q: Will classes run during a full walk-out strike?

  • Colleges will inform students about the status of classes.
  • Information will be posted on the College’s website and shared through email as it becomes available.

Q: How long will this strike last?

  • They can last for a day or for an extended period of time.
  • Currently, the Union has been engaged in strike action since December 18, 2021.
  • In 2017, the Union engaged in a full walk-out strike that lasted for more than five weeks. Students were still able to complete their semester.

Q: Can I access campus during a full walk-out strike?

  • Yes, campuses will remain open subject to pandemic restrictions.
  • When picket lines occur, picketers cannot prevent access to those looking to enter campus.
  • Information will be provided on how to safely access campus.

Q: How could strike action impact the Winter 2022 semester?

  • There is the potential the Winter 2022 semester could be interrupted and/or extended.
  • If the semester is impacted, Colleges will do everything possible to ensure that all students have the opportunity to complete the semester.

Q: Will a full walk-out strike impact Convocation?

  • Colleges will inform students about the status of Convocation.
  • Updates will be shared on the College’s website and through email.

Q: My teacher said the Colleges/CEC forced a strike, is that true?

  • No. The Colleges cannot force faculty to go on strike.
  • Only the Union can determine if they are on strike and what form that strike action takes (work-to-rule, full walk-out, etc).
  • The Colleges have been able to address and agree to many of the Union’s demands. Colleges are not currently seeking any concessions from faculty. There remain a few demands from faculty that the CEC/Colleges have consistently said they cannot agree to for fiscal, legislative, or operational reasons.

Q: Why are the Colleges escalating the situation instead of agreeing to interest arbitration?

  • The Colleges are not escalating. The Union has chosen to escalate its strike action.
  • The Union has asked the CEC to consider voluntary binding interest arbitration on outstanding issues. With respect to the outstanding issues, the Colleges have stated since August 2021, that they can never accept what the Union is demanding. The Colleges are not seeking anything from the Union and in the circumstances cannot agree to enter voluntarily into binding interest arbitration on these outstanding issues.
  • The CEC is not prepared to agree to have an arbitrator “split the difference” on key issues that Colleges have already stated are unacceptable to begin with. In essence, there is nothing to split.
  • Colleges have not refused arbitration but provided an alternative arbitration proposal for the same purpose of ending the impasse. The Colleges have asked the Union to reconsider an alternative proposal for an arbitrated solution to ensure there will be no harm or interruption for students.

Q: Why doesn’t the government get involved with College bargaining?

  • The government does not get involved with College bargaining unless absolutely necessary.
  • In 2017, the government legislated faculty back to work after five weeks of engaging in a full walk-out strike. The Union is currently in the process of challenging this decision.

Q: The Faculty have said this isn’t about money, is it?

  • The academic employee demands do cost money and contravene legislation.
  • Bill 124 limits the Colleges ability to increase compensation as it relates to workload by more than 1%.
  • The Colleges cannot go against legislation.

Q: What can’t the Colleges agree to?

  • The CEC has dropped all of its proposals for purposes of settlement and has agreed to many Union demands already.
  • The Colleges has asked for nothing in the new Collective agreement and will not agree to:
    • Inclusion of interest arbitration as the default decision making process for key working groups/ initiatives within the collective agreement
    • Workload amendments that contravene legislation (Bill 124)
    • Intellectual property claims for work that employees are already paid to create
    • Restrictions that infringe on other employee groups

Q: Where can I learn more about negotiations and strike action?

  • The CEC website contains information on the bargaining process and an ongoing archive of proposals from both parties.

Updated February 24, 2022

When will negotiations be over between CEC and Faculty?

  • The CEC and academic employees have been meeting since July.
  • There is no set date for negotiations to conclude.
  • The Colleges will continue to operate until the Union escalates strike action or a new collective
    agreement is agreed upon.

Will the current bargaining impasse affect my midterms or study week?

  • The Union has publicly stated that what they refer to as work-to-rule will not negatively affect
    students.
  • At this time, midterms and study week should not be affected by the current bargaining
    impasse.

How long can faculty work-to-rule?

  • The Colleges will continue to operate until the Union escalates strike action or a new collective
    agreement is agreed upon.
  • Only the Union can determine how long faculty will engage in what they refer to as work-to-rule.

What should I do if my teacher tells me they can’t help me because they are engaging in work-to-rule?

  • The Union has publicly stated that what they refer to as work-to-rule will not negatively affect
    students.
  • If your teacher has said they cannot help you, reach out to the department chair, associate
    dean, or dean and let them know.

Why doesn’t the government get involved with College bargaining?

  • The government does not get involved with College bargaining unless absolutely necessary.
  • In 2017, the government legislated faculty back to work after 5 weeks of engaging in a full walkout. The Union is currently in the process of challenging this decision.

Why won’t the CEC rejoin the Union at the bargaining table?

  • The CEC did not leave the table.
  • The CEC has dropped all of its proposals for purposes of settlement and has agreed to many Union demands already.
  •  The Union has said it has gone as far as it can on remaining issues.
  • The CEC has asked for nothing in the new Collective agreement and will not agree to:

o Inclusion of interest arbitration as the default decision making process for key working groups/ initiatives within the collective agreement
o Workload amendments that contravene legislation (Bill 124)
o Intellectual property claims for work that employees are already paid to create
o Restrictions that infringe on other employee groups

Why won’t the CEC agree to Voluntary Binding Interest Arbitration?

  • Voluntary binding interest arbitration is a process when both parties submit proposals to an
    outside third party (an arbitrator) who reviews the demands and decides what should and
    shouldn’t be in the collective agreement. Their decision is final and must be accepted by both
    parties.
  • The Union has asked the CEC to consider voluntary binding interest arbitration on outstanding
    issues. With respect to the outstanding issues, the Colleges have stated since August 2021, that
    they can never accept what the Union is demanding. The Colleges are not seeking anything
    from the Union and in the circumstances cannot agree to entering voluntarily into binding
    interest arbitration on these outstanding issues.
  • The CEC is not prepared to agree to have an arbitrator “split the difference” on key issues that
    Colleges have already stated are unacceptable to begin with. In essence, there is nothing to
    split.

Q: Does labour action mean a strike?

  • Labour action does mean strike. Strike action can take various forms, which include: work-to-rule, rotating strikes, all the way up to a full walk out.
  • Only the CAAT-A team can determine what forms of strike action will occur and when.

Q: Is introducing terms and conditions the same as a lock-out?

  • No.
  • Introducing terms and conditions means the Colleges will be making changes to the employment contracts of the bargaining unit members.
  • As of Monday December 13, the CEC has introduced terms and conditions to give employees raises, improved benefits, and other improved working conditions.
  • This does not affect the delivery of your program or your classes, nor does it lock anyone out of the College.

Q: Will introducing terms and conditions affect my classes?

  • No.
  • Introducing terms and conditions will not affect the ability of full-time and partial-load professors and instructors to teach. Nor will it affect the way in which a class is delivered.

Q: Will introducing terms and conditions affect me getting my grades on time?

  • Introducing terms and conditions will not affect when grades are submitted.
  • Only strike actions can affect grades being submitted on time.

Q: Will the Colleges force faculty to go on strike?

  • The Colleges cannot force faculty to go on strike.
  • The CAAT-A team has already provided notice of its intention to engage in strike action.
  • We do not know what form that strike action will take.
  • Only the CAAT-A team can determine what form (work-to-rule, rotating strikes, walk-out etc.)

Q: Are the Colleges escalating the situation instead of going back to the table?

  • The Colleges are not escalating. We have never left the table.
  • Less than 24 hours after receiving a strike mandate, the CAAT-A team escalated by providing notice of strike action.
  • We believe that employees have waited long enough to receive wage increases and benefit enhancements. Introducing these improvements does not prohibit further negotiation.
  • We urge the CAAT-A team to remove the unlawful and unreasonable demands from their proposal and rejoin us at the table to continue negotiations.

Q: Why don’t the Colleges agree to voluntary binding interest arbitration if that’s what happens after a strike anyways?

  • The Colleges do not want there to be a strike.
  • The Colleges have made multiple offers in attempts to resolve all issues.
  • Voluntary binding interest arbitration is not the answer to concluding negotiations nor is it always what happens after a strike.
  • The parties have the responsibility to bargain and negotiate a settlement that both parties can live with. The CAAT-A team has proposed to delegate its obligation to a third party and have an agreement imposed.
  • Throughout the ongoing collective agreement negotiations, the CEC has been clear with the CAAT-A bargaining team about areas that still show room for common ground and which unreasonable and unlawful demands we cannot agree to.
  • The CEC is not prepared to have an arbitrator “split the difference” on key issues.

Q: Why did the CEC propose Final Offer Selection?

  • In response to the union’s request for voluntary binding arbitration, the CEC had proposed final offer selection which built in the opportunity for mediation and if an agreement could not be reached the selection of one proposal in its entirety.
  • The CEC believes its offer is fair and reasonably addresses the issues presented by the CAAT-A team.

Q: The Faculty have said this isn’t about money, is it?

  • The CAAT-A demands do cost money and contravene Bill 124.
  • The CAAT-A team wants to reduce faculty workload by as much as 40% which would mean that a College education would cost substantially more and would not be sustainable for the College system.

Q: Why did the CEC walk away from the table?

  • The CEC has not walked away from the table.
  • The CEC remains engaged in the negotiation process and, once again, advanced a revised proposal on November 23 which the CAAT-A team has yet to acknowledge or respond to.
  • We have offered through the conciliator to meet with the CAAT-A team once they remove the unreasonable and unlawful demands from their proposal.

Q: Where can I learn more about negotiations and strike actions?

  • The CEC website contains information on the bargaining process an ongoing archive of propsals from both parties.
  • Additionally, all news updates are published accross the CEC social media channels and the website.
  • Please visit www.CollegeEmployerCouncil.ca or follow the CEC on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube.