The provincial government has appointed a mediator to facilitate discussions between the union representing 10,000 striking college support staff and their employers. The strike, which began nearly two weeks ago, has seen no scheduled negotiations thus far. It remains uncertain if the government's involvement will prompt the two sides to resume talks.

Dayna Smockum, director of communications for Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn, stated, "A ministry-appointed mediator has been assigned to the negotiations between the College Employer Council and the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union and is ready to work with the parties." She emphasized the importance of negotiations, saying, "The best deals are made at the table, and should the parties return to the table, the mediator is available to support a fair resolution. We remain hopeful that all parties reach a fair deal that puts students first."

The Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU) had previously requested a government-appointed mediator to assist in reaching a settlement. This request marks the first indication of a potential thaw in the negotiations, which collapsed in early September after months of discussions.

The union is advocating for improved job security amid ongoing financial challenges faced by colleges. These challenges include federal cutbacks affecting international students, a provincial freeze on tuition, and concerns that government funding is not keeping pace with actual costs. Colleges across the province have already experienced an estimated 10,000 job losses, along with program cuts and campus closures.

The College Employer Council, which represents the province's 24 publicly funded colleges, had earlier suggested mediation followed by arbitration to resolve outstanding issues, similar to recent successful negotiations for college faculty. However, OPSEU has expressed a strong opposition to arbitration, stating it has "zero appetite" for such a settlement.

CEO Graham Lloyd of the College Employer Council acknowledged the mediator's appointment but noted that they had not yet been informed of the proposal. "It is absolutely something we would consider, but we would need to hear from them directly as to what they are proposing," he said.

The union is particularly concerned about potential further campus closures and additional layoffs. Christine Kelsey, chair of OPSEU’s full-time support staff negotiation team, stated, "The employer has the obligation to disclose restructuring plans which would hugely affect our members over the length of the collective agreement we are actively negotiating. We believe members, and the public, deserve to know."

Lloyd mentioned that the colleges have already proposed a total of $145 million in salary and benefit increases, along with some job security measures. However, he indicated that certain union demands, including bans on job losses and campus mergers, are unacceptable. "There are demands that, regardless of the situation, we just can’t go forward ... We’ve told them that we will never agree to those," he said. He added that if the union insists on these demands, it may hinder the possibility of a negotiated deal, suggesting mediation and arbitration as alternatives to ensure stability for students and employees.