S2E36: From the CBC to the CEC: A Week of Merger Movement

A merger, a messaging pivot, and a historic bargaining fight. Host Julie White speaks with Local 417 President Gillian Axten and Provincial Part-Time/Sessional Bargaining Team Vice Chair Greg Dickson to unpack some of what’s happening across Ontario’s colleges.Segment 1 — What was really said (or not said) on Ontario MorningGillian analyzes the Oct. 5 Ontario Morning segment where St Lawrence College's President & CEO spoke with Ramraajh Sharvendiran about the upcoming college merger. The segment also featured Local 351 President Marcia Steeves from Fleming College.The sudden shift to “rural college” brandingCuts in Brockville and Cornwall despite rural messagingGrowth claims vs. real job losses and program suspensionsStrategyCorp’s influence on efficiency measures and integrationCurriculum transfer concerns: placements, credentialing, workloadThe union’s successful push for a seat at the planning tableSegment 2 — Provincial Bargaining UpdateGreg Dickson reports from the sixth bargaining session for part‑time and sessional faculty:No new proposals from the CECNo answers to union questionsNew union language tabled on health & safety and Union College CommitteesProtections against reprisal for reporting unsafe labsWhy coordinated power across all CAAT divisions matters this roundMember Action ItemsComplete the Provincial Academic Bargaining SurveyWatch for merger task‑force updatesBe aware that integration emails route through StrategyCorp, not local management00:00 – Intro: Rural branding & merger framing 00:27 – CBC interview recap 03:10 – Cuts vs. rural messaging 05:34 – Growth narrative vs. job losses 07:52 – Behind‑the‑scenes planning 10:18 – Curriculum transfer & placements 13:10 – Guarantees for students vs. staff 15:37 – Partial‑load reductions 17:06 – Rural campuses as anchors 18:13 – Gillian’s takeaway 21:55 – Bargaining survey push 24:18 – Integration emails → StrategyCorp 25:12 – Provincial bargaining segment 25:42 – No new proposals from CEC 27:42 – Health & safety language 29:30 – Lab overcrowding & reprisal protections 31:25 – Union College CommitteesRelevant Links: 🔗 Hear Glenn Vollebregt and Marcia Steeves talk about the Merger CBC Ontario Morning segment with Ramraajh Sharvendiran🔗 Provincial FT/PL Academic Bargaining Survey (closes Friday) Bargaining Survey 2027🔗 CAAT-A PT/SL Bargaining Hub (see what's been tabled) PT SL Bargaining Hub