Talks broke off between Ontario’s colleges and the union representing 10,000 striking support staff after just three days, with the union saying its key demand remains job security.

While the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union put aside its push for a ban on layoffs and campus closings, it was still seeking either a stop to contracting out or to allowing administrators to pitch in on some duties, the colleges say, adding they can’t agree to either.

In an email, OPSEU said “we have repeatedly made it clear that our members are on strike to protect our work — a pathway to settlement must include provisions to protect existing jobs, not just manage job loss” at a time when schools are issuing layoff notices and closing campuses.

Graham Lloyd, who heads the College Employer Council, s

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