Conestoga’s Doon campus shut down as union workers increase picket activity
Posted October 7, 2025 9:11 am.
Conestoga College has temporarily closed vehicle access to its Doon campus and suspended on-campus classes on Tuesday.
This comes as the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) announced striking workers would be coming in from neighbouring colleges, calling for an end to the nearly month-long strike by full-time support staff at Ontario’s 24 public colleges.
“The decision to close was made with an abundance of caution for the safety of our college community as we help mitigate anticipated traffic disruptions in and around campus,” reads a blog post by Conestoga College.
OPSEU officials confirmed striking workers from nearby campuses, including Sheridan, Mohawk, and Fanshawe colleges, would be joining the Kitchener picket line.
“Morale has been fantastic on the lines across the board. It dipped a little bit when they walked away from the table rather than continuing to bargain, so that means what we need to do is build that solidarity,” said President of OPSEU/SEFPO, JP Hornick. “Bring the picketers together, so the workers know they’re not alone.”
The union alleged that three days of mediation led to talks breaking down once again last week. Hornick stated that, even though the broken-down talks were discouraging, the striking staff are willing to roll out on the picket lines for as long as it takes.
“We know that facilities are breaking down. We know that IT systems are vulnerable. We know that faculty members aren’t receiving pay stubs, and students are having trouble with their registrations. We know that they’re trying to prep for the winter semester here,” said Hornick. “At the same time, you’ve got the people who do that work and support these students out walking a picket line.”
“The employer is failing to address job security language to resolve a strike that comes amidst one of the largest mass layoffs in the province’s history, where 10,000 college workers have already been laid off, hundreds of programs have been suspended or cancelled, and new campus closures announced in recent weeks,” reads a release.
“The entire college system is at risk.”
Support staff workers walked off the job back on Sept. 11, as the union demanded better pay and job security for workers at Ontario colleges.
“Working in a picket line for four hours, anywhere from four to five to eight hours, depending on the day, is not only physically demanding, but it’s also mentally, emotionally demanding,” said President of OPSEU Local 238, Vikki Poirier. “The problem is they’re not bargaining. You have to negotiate. You sit down at the table and negotiate. That isn’t taking place, that hasn’t taken place.”
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When it comes to the day-to-day operations at Conestoga College on Tuesday, the college said those on campus can still come inside, and those already there can stay.
Those looking to leave the Doon campus and needing help doing so can contact Security Services.
“It’s complicated and it’s messy and it sucks, but like ultimately I think it just has been really encouraging and invigorating to know that literally when it comes down to the core, we all want the same thing: public education,” said Ashara Meidell, support staff worker with Conestoga.
Officials were unable to confirm when on-campus classes and activities would resume, though they note that they “remain hopeful” that the Doon campus could reopen later on Tuesday.
