Message from the President to Learners – March 16

Posted on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022

Dear Learners,

On Monday, March 14, the College of Applied Arts and Technology-Academic (CAAT-A) employee bargaining team representing full-time and partial-load professors, instructors, librarians, and counsellors informed their members that unless negotiations resume or the matter is referred to binding interest arbitration, a full strike (including picketing) will commence at 12:01am Friday morning (March 18, 2022).

I want to reassure you that we are doing all that we can to minimize disruption for our learners. Bargaining is a complex process, and one that we respect. You are going to hear arguments on both sides, and I hope you will keep an open mind as we face the future. While we may be facing a difficult time, I have every confidence that the Algonquin College community – all of us – will proceed in the coming days and weeks with a commitment to our values of Caring, Learning, Integrity, and Respect.

Open communication is critical at this time, and I want you have the information you need throughout this process. Rather than including a long list of possible academic and service impacts in this note, you will, instead, be receiving separate communiqués from various areas of the College that will provide you with guidance and information. Please be on the look out for these details.

In the meantime, should a labour disruption occur, here is some valuable information for you to note:

  • All classes (including virtual/remotely delivered courses) at our Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth campuses will be temporarily suspended; our AC Online campus programs will continue without disruption.
  • Continuing Education and Corporate Training classes will continue unless you are advised otherwise by your program.
  • Field and clinical placements will be suspended during the full strike unless you are advised otherwise by your program.
  • Co-op work terms will continue.
  • Students will retain access to BrightSpace
  • Students will be permitted to access all campuses in order to use available resources and services, such as the Library, labs, bookstores, athletic centres, Student Commons, the AC Hub, residences, and communal areas used for group work and study.

The College Employer Council (CEC), which is the government-mandated bargaining agent for the 24 Ontario publicly-funded colleges in negotiating collective agreements with unionized staff, has prepared a communiqué specifically for Ontario’s college students; it can be found HERE.

As always, we are here to listen to your concerns, and I want to ensure you that all strategic and operational planning around a potential labour disruption will be conducted with the overriding purpose of ensuring student success and a harmonious workplace for everyone.

Additional information will continue to be communicated as soon as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé

President and CEO


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