Final vote tally confirms faculty accept offer, relief for students
All votes have been accounted for and 51.45% of faculty voted to accept the college's final offer, averting any possible strike this semester, confirmed the Ontario Labour Relations Board on February 24.
After nearly nine months of bargaining between both sides, Ontario's faculty now have a three year collective agreement in place. It includes a 5.9 per cent salary increase and improvements to workload, such as giving faculties more control over how students' workload is assigned.
Howard Rundle, president of Fanshawe College, said that while faculty members had their issues over the agreement, they will end up finding the agreement fair as the next three years progress.
“At the end of the three year period, they'll appreciate that there's nothing to be concerned about,” said Rundle.
One group who is noticeably relieved are students who feared potentially losing their year if nothing was settled.
“It's basically a relief for all students,” said Justin Fox, president of the College Student Alliance. “As low as the vote was, it still means no strike.”
After nearly nine months of bargaining between both sides, Ontario's faculty now have a three year collective agreement in place. It includes a 5.9 per cent salary increase and improvements to workload, such as giving faculties more control over how students' workload is assigned.
Howard Rundle, president of Fanshawe College, said that while faculty members had their issues over the agreement, they will end up finding the agreement fair as the next three years progress.
“At the end of the three year period, they'll appreciate that there's nothing to be concerned about,” said Rundle.
One group who is noticeably relieved are students who feared potentially losing their year if nothing was settled.
“It's basically a relief for all students,” said Justin Fox, president of the College Student Alliance. “As low as the vote was, it still means no strike.”
