Season Two opens with a clear-eyed look at the SLC–Fleming merger and what it means for faculty, support staff, students, and communities across Eastern Ontario. Local 417 President Gillian Axten and Local 418 President Amanda Shaw talk about workload risks, campus stability, student experience, and the urgent need for transparency. Then, bargaining team vice-chair Greg Dickson joins to unpack the latest developments in part-time and sessional negotiations — including new equity proposals and a troubling “comprehensive package” from the employer. This episode grounds listeners in the realities of the SLC–Fleming merger: shrinking programs, increased online delivery, oversized asynchronous classes, and the threat to smaller campuses. Gillian and Amanda outline how cuts and instability are already affecting support staff, student services, and community economies — and why union representation must be present at every planning table. In the second half, Greg breaks down the August 19 bargaining session, highlighting the precarity facing part-time and sessional faculty, the union’s non‑monetary proposals, and the employer’s attempt to frame a minimal document as a “comprehensive package.” The conversation underscores the stakes for members and the importance of staying informed, asking questions, and standing together. 🎧 Chapters00:00 – Opening Message 02:25 – What’s Happening? Gillian explains the “shrinkage merger,” cost‑saving pressures, and risks to program quality. 05:17 – Support Staff Under Strain - Amanda outlines cuts, understaffing, service closures, and rising instability. 09:17 – Community Impact - How secretive planning affects Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall, Peterborough, Lindsay, and Haliburton. 12:20 – Access, Equity & Regional Economies - Amanda and Gillian discuss barriers for low‑income families, feeder programs, placements, and workforce development. 15:01 – Faculty Representation Matters - Gillian explains the risks when faculty are excluded from academic planning. 17:08 – Key Demands for Transparency - Amanda outlines what locals need: seats at planning tables, full disclosure, and public advocacy. 18:21 – What Members Should Do - Town hall details, sign union cards, ask questions, and stay informed. 21:27 – The Bigger Picture - Gillian warns about attempts to divide locals from provincial OPSEU/SEFPO. 22:29 – Greg Dickson Joins the Show Greg describes the employer’s first proposals after five days of bargaining. 25:14 – Precarity Hurts Students Too - How inconsistent assignments and late hiring undermine student experience. 28:48 – Why Dues Reporting Matters - High turnover and inconsistent lists across colleges. 29:52 – Protecting Members During Strikes - A new clause ensuring no discipline for respecting OPSEU picket lines. 31:12 – Equity as a Cornerstone - Half the unit is from equity-deserving groups; systemic barriers must be addressed. 31:28 – The Employer’s “Comprehensive Package” - Greg breaks down the document’s omissions: seniority, assignment rights, layoff protections, harassment language, and union access. 34:00 – Why Silence Is Dangerous - Greg explains how missing articles default to management rights. 36:00 – Final Reflections - The stakes of accepting a weak first collective agreement. 🔗 ResourcesPart-Time & Sessional Bargaining Hub
