OSSTF/FEESO Support Staff University of Ottawa Votes for Strike

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 19, 2013) - The members of the Support Staff University of Ottawa (PSUO-SSUO) of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) have given their bargaining team an overwhelming 79 per cent strike mandate. The Bargaining Unit represents over 1300 members in a range of positions that support and enhance teaching, learning and research.

"After 15 months of bargaining, this employer must get serious about respecting the work of the membership and coming to a fair and equitable conclusion to this round of negotiations. This demonstration of the membership's support for the goals of the bargaining team solidifies our resolve in the face of a great deal of foot-dragging on the employer's part," said Richard Hogan, Bargaining Unit President.

"Our bargaining team and the membership have shown an admirable patience in this protracted round of bargaining. This strike vote sends a clear message that it is time the employer makes good on its commitments so that negotiations can conclude expeditiously and without any disruption to the university's operations," said Harvey Bischof, OSSTF/FEESO Vice President and Chair of the bargaining team.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.