I share in our collective frustration that, short of a last-minute agreement, we will be on strike this Friday. The length of an eventual strike is partly out of our control, but the individual choices we each make will matter. The more we engage in strike duties, the more information we share in our networks, and the more we pressure political leaders, the faster we will reach an agreeable resolution.
Our work-to-rule campaign did not generate the pressure that we needed to get college presidents, including Claude Brulé, to direct the CEC to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith. Our Bargaining Team, who I fully support, believes that unless we go on strike now, we face the risk of heavy-handed conditions being imposed upon us. In short, I have seen the way our college has reacted to our labour action and am extremely disappointed.
Below, you will find important details for this and next week:
- Thursday, March 17 @ 7 PM – Strike Preparation and Information Meeting (sign up here)
- Friday, March 18 @ 11 AM – Rally at Woodroffe Campus
- Monday, March 21 – picketing starts
- Strike Pay Details
- Signing up for Picket Duties
- Letter for Students
- Signing Up for Strike Pay (a repeat from previous messages)
On behalf of the entire leadership team at Local 415, we thank you for the resolve and solidarity that you continue to show during this time.
In solidarity,
Annette Bouzi
President, OPSEU Local 415
Thursday 7 PM Zoom Meeting
You will need to pre-register for this meeting. Use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xWcxX-wjR0e49u2jIw8Urg
Friday 11 AM Rally
The rally will be held at the Woodroffe campus with live feed for Perth and Pembroke. We will advise in the coming days how to participate from Perth and Pembroke. Please bring two (2) items for the Algonquin College Food Cupboard. We will have guest speakers, refreshments, and you will learn more about the current negotiation and strike status. Masks must be worn.
Paid parking is available off Constellation Drive. We will reimburse this cost.
At the rally, you will sign up for your preferred shift and meet your Picket Captains to discuss and arrange logistics for Monday’s pickets. Attending the rally will count as four hours of strike duties.
Strike Pay
Strike pay is tax-free and requires members to complete 20 hours of strike duties a week in four-hour shifts. Members who complete 20 hours of strike duties each week will qualify for strike pay as follows:
| Week | OPSEU Strike Pay | Local 415 Top-up Pay | Total |
| 1 | $250 plus $55 per dependent | $500 | $750 plus dependents |
| 2 | $250 plus $55 per dependent | $500 | $750 plus dependents |
| 3 | $350 plus $55 per dependent | $400 | $750 plus dependents |
OPSEU payments will be paid by direct deposit. The Local 415 top-up pay will be provided by cheque to members for the first week. The Local is working towards an electronic system for subsequent weeks, should that be necessary.
Sign Up for Picket Duties
To qualify for strike pay you must sign up as an OPSEU member, complete the portal information (explained below), and participate in strike duties.
Sign up for strike duties by completing this form before Friday’s Rally or Friday, in person. Picket shifts will start on Monday:
- Woodroffe Campus (3 locations) 8 AM – 12 PM
- Woodroffe Campus (3 locations) 12 PM – 4 PM
- Pembroke Campus 8 AM – 12 PM
- Pembroke Campus 12 PM – 4 PM
- Perth Campus 8 AM – 12 PM
- Perth Campus 12 PM – 4 PM
Sample Letter for Students
Encourage your students to write messages to the CEC and Claude Brule. The sample form letter available at the CAAT-A site is a great start.
Sign Up to Qualify for Strike Pay
If you have not yet formally signed up as a member of OPSEU, please complete the form at this link. This will register you for Local 415 – remember to check your SPAM or JUNK folders and make a rule about our messages.
You will also need to sign into the OPSEU member portal to qualify for central OPSEU strike pay. You will need your OPSEU membership number (contact comms@locallines.org if you do not know your number). Once on the portal ensure you have inputted your banking information and that you have listed your dependents. The amount of strike pay you will receive will depend on the number of dependents you have and on your participation in picketing.