Ontario Tech in Oshawa claps back at faculty strike announcement

Ontario Tech University finally responded to the strike announcement made by their full-time faculty, declaring that the final offer made to the university yesterday “does not represent a fair agreement.”

“This offer continued to include numerous proposals that will not be accepted as part of an agreement. The university has made this known to the (faculty association) bargaining team repeatedly and over a period of months,” the school said in a statement.

Teachers at the school will begin job action tomorrow by establishing picket lines at the north Oshawa campus beginning at 11 a.m.

The university and the faculty association bargaining team resumed negotiations at the beginning of the week with the support of a provincially-appointed conciliator.

“Tenured and tenure-track faculty, teaching faculty, and limited-term faculty members play a valuable and important part in delivering a great education to our students, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement with the FA. The university has remained at the table throughout negotiations and remains available to resume negotiations with an interest to arrive at a fair agreement for both parties.”

Campus locations will remain open during the strike; however, all lectures, labs and tutorials that are taught by FA members are paused until further notice. Lectures, labs and tutorials taught by sessional employees and teaching assistants will continue uninterrupted. Students are advised to go to the Office of the Registrar’s website for the list of lectures, labs and tutorials that will continue during the strike. All other employee groups are expected to deal with work duties as part of their regular work schedule.

“Delays are to be expected when entering and exiting campus. Please arrive early and allow extra time to get to class and work during the disruption. Prior to arriving at a picket line, please review the picket line protocols on the Labour Relations page.”

Ontario Tech administration said they will provide additional updates as they become available.