Hoping the College Council and College Presidents Understand the Value of our Work

OPSEU college support staff are extremely encouraged that the two sides will be at the bargaining table this weekend. It is our hope that when you get to the table you will remember the valuable services provided on your campuses and the skilled staff who make the services run.

We are the staff who speak to prospective students on campus and in the community. We are the staff who promote programs, guiding students from interested to registered. We are the staff who answer inquiries about financial aid and help students find the money to attend our wonderful institutions. We are the staff who recruit and ensure international students are supported. We are the staff who ensure students are aware of the courses they need to take. We are the staff who run registration so students can pay for their courses. We are the staff who run Student Life offices and ensure students have positive experiences not only in class but outside class as well. We are the staff who ensure students struggling to meet course requirements have a place to go for tutoring and learning skills support. We are the staff who meet with students and parents of students with disabilities to ensure their needs are met while also ensuring the college is able to maintain academic integrity. We are the staff who do structural repairs and ensure that the college has heating, air conditioning and running water. We are the staff who ensure the right books are ordered so students can do their course work. We are the staff who advise students on where to find part-time jobs to pay for tuition. We are the staff who advise students on how to prepare for interviews and a successful transition into the labour market.

Throughout all of the services we provide above, many of us are on the front lines responding to the tough questions, making the tough decisions and at all times we are doing so on behalf of the College. To us, it would seem that you would want to ensure the Colleges have provided support staff with the best possible contract. A good deal will allow colleges to continue to recruit well-educated, skilled and dedicated staff as you have to date. Support staff are a group of professionals, possessing diplomas, undergraduate and graduate degrees in their field. Support staff are individuals dedicated to the students and dedicated to doing the best work possible on behalf of the College.

We trust that you will agree that the services we provide are crucial to the overall student experience. We are the staff who turn value for college tuition fees into value added. The superior services we provide contribute to students being well serviced customers – many of whom become repeat customers which only serves to increase College revenue.

We are optimistic that you will agree we are an integral and valuable part of the College teams. We further hope you will work together with our bargaining team to ensure we have good jobs today and good jobs tomorrow.

OPSEU College Support Staff
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