180 support staff at Conestoga College could lose their jobs, union says

Approximately 180 support workers at Conestoga College have been given notice that their jobs could be cut or reassigned due to cutbacks.

The workers, who are represented by Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 238, found out during a meeting Tuesday afternoon. 

Vikkie Poirier, president of OPSEU Local 238, says the next 90 days will determine what's in store for workers.

"There's three categories [of workers affected]. We have probationary — they're laid off, and there's those who will be reassigned," said Poirier.

"Under reassigned, it's either into a position that is vacant or into a position that currently has somebody in it," she said.

Under the collective agreement, Poirier says people who are laid off will work for 90 days and then will be put on a potential recall list. People who are reassigned could be moved between now and the end of those 90 days.

She says people at Tuesday's meeting were disappointed to learn the college had decided to issue the layoff and reassignment notices.

"Really crappy. It was a crappy day. It was an emotional day," said Poirier.  "We were given a task that was crappy. It was hard work ... and we did the best we could."

Some of the support staff include Student Success Advisors who help students with tutoring, mental health support and career advice. 

Colleges across the province have been laying off staff, with most schools blaming the international student cap for declining enrolment which has negatively impacted their operating budgets.

Conestoga College, for instance, saw their intake of international students cut by 50 per cent.

The worker's union at Conestoga had notified support staff last month that they could expect layoffs in the near future. 

Poirier says the union has held information sessions for employees about potential layoffs. She says the support staff are the "foundation of the college that keeps the college going."

"The faculty cannot do their job without the support staff. The deans, the chairs, the admin — they can't do their job without the support of the support staff," Poirier said.

"The students do not get to where they are without the support of the support staff. [We have support staff in] our facilities, we have our student advising, we have our admissions department, we have our international department. There are so many areas that our members, 890 of us, cover."

CBC K-W reached out to Conestoga College administration for a comment, but there was no immediate response.