Ontario College Support Staff Strike for Better Wages and Security

Support staff at Ontario’s publicly funded colleges have initiated a strike after failing to secure a new contract agreement before a midnight deadline on September 11, 2025. Approximately 10,000 full-time college support staff, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), are advocating for improved wages, enhanced benefits, and greater job security.

As of 12:01 a.m., all 24 Ontario public colleges, including Conestoga College, are affected by this job action. Despite the strike, Conestoga College has announced via social media that it will remain open and classes will continue as scheduled.

Picket Lines Established Across Ontario

Picket lines were set up on Thursday at various Conestoga campuses throughout the Waterloo Region and nearby areas. Locations include Kitchener on Doon Valley Drive, Cambridge on Reuter Drive, Waterloo on University Avenue East, Stratford on Erie Street, and Guelph on Speedvale Avenue West.

Due to the strike, Grand River Transit has confirmed that its buses will not cross picket lines at these campuses. Service disruptions have been reported, with specific bus stops closed around the Doon and Cambridge campuses.

The union representing the support staff has highlighted that nearly 10,000 college faculty and staff have either lost their jobs or are expected to be laid off due to numerous program cancellations and suspensions over the past year. “This is not just a fight for a contract – it’s about the future of student support. We’re fighting because we know our students need us,” an OPSEU representative stated.

Financial Context of the Strike

Colleges in Ontario have increasingly relied on tuition from international students due to historically low levels of provincial government funding and a prolonged tuition freeze. Recent federal government measures have imposed a cap on the number of international students, exacerbating financial pressures on colleges.

The College Employer Council has stated that the union’s demands could lead to over $900 million in additional costs for colleges, a claim the union contests. The employer council has indicated that it has offered various financial incentives, including monetary increases, improved severance packages, and enhanced vacation rights.

As the strike continues, both sides remain at odds over contract negotiations, with potential implications for the future of student support services in Ontario’s colleges.