Information update regarding the Durham College support staff strike

Friday, September 16

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents support staff employees at colleges across the province, and the College Employer Council (the Council) will return to the table this weekend to resume negotiations. College negotiators are hoping that talks will be successful and end the support staff strike that began on September 1.

Please continue to monitor this website. Updated information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Thursday, September 15

Due to the continuing province wide Ontario Colleges support staff work stoppage, all fitness class registration and fitness classes scheduled to start on Monday, September 19 have been postponed until the strike is settled.

Friday, September 09

The provincewide work stoppage involving Durham College and the other 23 Ontario colleges is ongoing and we do not know when it will end. We understand that you will likely be inconvenienced by it and ask that you remain respectful towards our fellow campus colleagues and friends who will return to work when it is over, as well as, the administrative staff who are working lengthy extended hours to provide back-up support for the entire campus community.

The safety of UOIT students, staff and visitors is a top priority. A comprehensive picket line protocol is listed below to ensure everyone's safety. Please plan for delays and slow down when arriving by car at the north Oshawa location and wait patiently until it is your turn to proceed.

Note: Vehicles must be parked in their assigned parking lot. We’ve observed that cars that do not have a valid hang tag are being ticketed at the Campus Corners parking lot.

Change in bus stop location

This morning campus security was advised by the Durham Regional Police Service that as a safety precaution, due to increased traffic, Durham Region Transit (DRT) has moved the location of one of its bus stops. Effective immediately, the southbound Simcoe Street bus stop previously located just north of the lights at Commencement Drive has been moved to a location just south of the intersection near the Simcoe Village Residence. This change will remain in effect until the end of the Durham College strike.

GO Transit and DRT will continue to use the Campus Tennis Centre roadway for drop-off and pick-up as previously communicated.

The following list will provide UOIT students with information pertaining to student service hours of operation primarily at the north Oshawa location during the Durham College support staff work stoppage:

Thursday, September 1

Important information for UOIT students regarding Durham College support staff strike

Please be advised that full-time Durham College support staff employees are on a legal strike as of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 1.  Given that we share a campus location with Durham College, at our north Oshawa location, university personnel and students may experience some delays. As a result, as you prepare to return to campus we feel it is important to provide you with an update on the situation:

• The university remains open;
• All classes will continue as scheduled;
• The Registrar’s Office will maintain normal office hours, including OSAP distribution;
• The libraries will maintain normal business hours;
• Laptop pick-up is available during posted hours;
• Orientation activities will proceed as planned;
• The following services, shared with Durham College will be operating at a reduced level, which means normal hours in most cases, though you can expect delays: Campus ID Services; Campus Bookstore, Campus Ice Centre and  Campus Tennis Centre;
• Public transit –The temporary main start and stop location for all bus services will be the roadway at the Tennis Centre at the north Oshawa location. Buses will depart at regularly scheduled times from this location. Please cross the street at the traffic lights at Conlin Road and Founders Drive or Conlin Road and Simcoe Street. Seecampus map;
• Handi Transit is providing its regular service for those requiring accessible service;  and
• Please remember that Ontario Public Service Employees Union members are legally entitled to strike and establish picket lines. Picketers are members of our campus community who are engaged in a lawful strike and when the strike is over they will return to our campus community.

The safety of UOIT students, faculty, staff and visitors is a top priority. A comprehensive picket line protocol has been established to ensure everyone's safety.

Picket line protocol 
We appreciate that for some of you this may be your first experience crossing a picket line. The fundamental idea is to stay respectful. You may find the following guidelines helpful:

• Be aware that you are likely going to encounter picket lines at the north Oshawa location entrances (Founders Drive, Founders Gate and Commencement Drive); 
• Leave extra time for crossing picket lines;
• Remember that picketers are members of our campus community who are engaged in a lawful strike. When the strike is over they will return to our campus community and continue to provide valuable services;
• Expect delays and inconveniences; and
• Operate your vehicle in a safe and lawful manner.

How to approach a picket line:

• Approach the line slowly. If you are operating a vehicle, plan your approach so you will be making a right-hand turn. This precaution will prevent you from getting caught in the middle of an intersection or crossing oncoming traffic;
• When driving or walking on to campus, stop and wait until you can safely pass through the picket line;
• Display patience and remain calm. Picketers will give you information and then allow you to pass;
• If driving, proceed cautiously and wait for clear access before advancing through the picket line. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way and a driver will always be found at fault if a pedestrian (or picketer) is hit;
• Consider carpooling with fellow students or leaving your car at home and taking the bus; and
• If you encounter any difficulties in crossing the line, please contact Campus Security at ext. 2400.

  Other important information:

• Remember to check official university communications regularly at www.ontariotechu.ca.  Do not assume that other sources of information are accurate until you check official university communications.

Thank you for your understanding.  We will keep you informed.

Thursday, September 1

Full-time Durham College support staff employees on strike 

Please be advised that full-time Durham College support staff employees are on a legal strike as of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 1.

The university will remain open. Please prepare for delays when arriving at the north Oshawa location.

Remember to check official university communications regularly.  Do not assume that other sources of information are accurate until you check this website.

Public transit 
Public transit will continue to bring students and visitors to campus however buses will not cross the picket lines. Instead riders will be dropped off at convenient stops just outside the north Oshawa location;

Handi Transit
Handi Transit is providing its regular service for those requiring accessible service.

Picket line protocol

We appreciate that for some of you, this may be your first experience crossing a picket line. The fundamental idea is to stay respectful. You may find the following guidelines helpful:

• Be aware that you are likely going to encounter picket lines at UOIT north location entrances (Founders Drive, Founders Gate and Commencement Drive); 
• Leave extra time for crossing picket lines;
• Remember that picketers are members of our community who are engaged in a lawful strike. When the strike is over they will return to our community;
• Expect delays and inconveniences; and
• Operate your vehicle in a safe and lawful fashion.

How to approach a picket line:

• Approach the line slowly. If you are arriving by car, plan your approach so that you will be making a right hand turn. This precaution will prevent you from getting caught in the middle of an intersection or crossing oncoming traffic;
• When driving or walking on to campus, stop and wait until you can safely pass through the picket line;
• Display patience and remain calm. Picketers will give you information and then allow you to pass;
• If driving, proceed cautiously and wait for clear access before advancing through the picket line. Pedestrians always have the right of way and a driver will always be found at fault if a pedestrian (or picketer) is hit;
• Consider carpooling or leaving your car at home and take the bus; and
• If you encounter any difficulties in crossing the line, please contact Campus Security at extension 2400.

Monday, August 29

Important information for UOIT students regarding potential Durham College support staff strike

The start of the 2011-2012 academic year is right around the corner and all UOIT students (new and returning) should be aware of an important issue that could impact the start of the year. Our partner on campus, Durham College, is a member of the College Compensation and Appointments Council (CCAC). The CCAC bargains provincially for all Ontario Community Colleges and is currently bargaining with the Ontario Public Sector Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents all academic staff in colleges across the province. 

Support staff employees at all 24 Ontario colleges are governed by a collective agreement between OPSEU and the College Employer Council. This agreement is set to expire at midnight on Wednesday, August 31. If a new agreement is not reached by that time, support staff employees at Durham College could be in a legal strike position as of Thursday, September 1.

Since we share a campus location and some of our services are shared with Durham College, a strike by their support staff may result in longer than normal wait times for a number of the services traditionally accessed at the start of the academic year.

While UOIT remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached, we encourage you to take advantage of the many student services available prior to September. This includes registering for classes, making tuition payments, getting campus ID cards, picking up Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding, laptop pickup, signing up for meal plans, purchasing parking passes, etc.

Students can visit campus or go online now to take advantage of shorter wait times and quicker services, allowing you to spend your first weeks on campus adjusting to classes and spending time with friends instead of waiting in potentially long line ups.

Students are encouraged to:

• Consult the Registration Guide 2011-2012 for step-by-step instructions on the process of becoming a student, including instructions on registering for courses, obtaining a timetable, picking up your laptop, purchasing parking permits and more;
• Students should visit Student finances on the UOIT website for tuition payment plan details. Tuition payments can be made in person (certified cheques or money orders only) at the north Oshawa location, in the Office of the Registrar, U5 portable, Room 68;
• Obtain a student ID card at the north Oshawa location, in the Gordon Willey building, G-Wing, Room  213 (new students) or Room 1004 (returning students);
• Arrange laptop pick-up;
• Pick up OSAP in person at the north Oshawa location, in the Business and Information Technology building (UB), second-floor Mezzanine, from August 24 to September 23 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, September 3, OSAP distribution will take place at the same location between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please note: returning students are not required to make an appointment. First-time OSAP recipients are required to book and attend an information session to receive their documents. After September 23, OSAP distribution will be available in the U5 portable, Room 68;
• Students in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities can pick up their OSAP documents in downtown Oshawa at the Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office located at the 61 Charles Street building in Room 120. The office is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sign up and pay for a meal plan at the north Oshawa location, in the Gordon Willey building, B-Wing, Room 150 orpay online;
• Obtain a parking pass via the parking pass website;
• Buy books at the Campus Book store or via the Campus Bookstore website;
• Arrange for on-campus or off-campus housing;
• Bring student ID cards to the Campus Library for authentication; and
• Visit the Student Association (Your SA) to learn more about on-campus clubs, the pub, Your SA services and more.

We are committed to keeping you up to date and look forward to continuing to serve your needs. New information will be posted on MyCampus and the UOIT website.