CAAT support staff
2011Julius Arscott 2011-09Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 9 →
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TORONTO—Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology support staff, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union, went on strike on Sept. 1 to defend full-time jobs and to challenge the threat of a two-tier system for benefits. Both kinds of management attacks have dire implications for all public sector workers.
Management’s concession demands would further isolate and impoverish young workers who make up a large proportion of the 8000-strong OPSEU CAAT-S (College Support) members who work in 24 colleges across the province. Their sick leave would be limited to 10 days a year, with no carry-over or accumulation of unused days.
The workers are in collective bargaining with the province and now operate under legislation that allows the employer to use scab labour for the first time. Intimidation and coercion are being used against workers already suffering from the biggest economic recession in recent memory.
The Chair of the CAAT Support Bargaining Team, Rod Bemister, reported on the OPSEU website: “This round of bargaining is not about us getting ahead; it is about us staying even. It’s about holding onto the job security, benefits and pay that others before us