Campaign to sign up part-time staff at community colleges largest union drive in Ontario history

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is looking to successfully conclude a union drive for part-time instructors and support staff at Mohawk College and the province's 23 other community colleges in the coming weeks.

"It's the largest membership drive in the history of the labour movement in Ontario," said OPSEU provincial spokesperson Roger Couvrette.

Mr. Couvrette noted the McGuinty government said last August it would recognize the right of part-time staff at community colleges to bargain collectively. He said that acted as a catalyst for the union to begin a province-wide campaign two months later to sign up 8,000 part-time instructors, 3,500 part-time support staff and about 5,000 part-time student employees, including about 750 part-time teachers and 150 part-time support staff at Mohawk.