SCAET building at Sheridan's Trafalgar Road Campus

FAQs

General

  • In Ontario, colleges bargain collectively. OPSEU is the union that represents Ontario’s college employee groups. The College Employer Council (CEC) is the government mandated bargaining agent for the 24 Ontario publicly funded colleges in negotiating collective agreements with unionized staff.

  • The collective agreement that exists for full-time support staff. Examples of members in this group include technicians and technologists, clerks, assistants, analysts, tutors, and facilities operators. The current CAAT-FTSS collective agreement expires on August 31, 2025.

  • A strike vote is a formal process where unionized employees vote on whether to give their union the authority to call a strike if contract negotiations with their employer break down. Once the majority of employees vote in favour of a strike, the union may call a strike without further input from employees. The full-time support staff strike vote took place from August 13 through August 15, 2025, online and by phone.

  • At the colleges, strikes are legal work stoppages. Picket lines may be formed by striking employees and there can be delays while entering campuses.

    A strike may take different forms. In general, it is a refusal to work in the normal way that is designed to slow down, disrupt, or stop college operations. A strike is organized by a union as a form of protest typically in an attempt to force the colleges to agree to their demands. There are different forms of strikes: work-to-rule, partial walk-out, rotating strike, and full walk-out strike.

  • Members of the full-time support staff union are employees who regularly work more than 24 hours per week in positions or classifications such as office, clerical, technical, health care, maintenance, building service, shipping, transportation, cafeteria, security, parking, academic technologist, and nursery staff. This includes some members of the registrar’s office and student services offices. This vote does not involve academic professors, librarians, counsellors or instructors and those classified as administrative employees or management.

  • Sheridan will provide updates through its Collective Bargaining web page, Sheridan Central, Your Sheridan Weekly, email, and social media channels. We may also communicate using the Sheridan ALERT! app – please ensure you have uploaded the app to your mobile device and have notifications enabled to receive real-time information.

  • Yes, in the event of strike action, Sheridan facilities will remain open. However, non-academic services (e.g., bookstore, food services, athletics, library and study spaces) may be disrupted.

  • The striking workers work in positions or classifications such as office, clerical, technical, health care, maintenance, building service, shipping, transportation, cafeteria, security, parking, academic technologist, and nursery staff. Support staff provide a wide range of student services which will be impacted but Sheridan College and classes will continue to operate.

  • Colleges continue to bargain with the union in an effort to reach a renewal collective agreement. Sheridan has been preparing contingency plans and will communicate updates to students regularly.

  • We don’t know how long labour action would last if it happens. In the event of any labour action, our priority is to ensure there is as little disruption for students as possible. We will also keep staff and students updated through our website, newsletters and social media.

  • As information becomes available, we will update the Sheridan community via the Collective Bargaining 2025 | Sheridan Central page. Updates can also be found on the College Employer Council website.

    For more information on parking, permits and refunds, visit Parking Services | Sheridan Central

    Sheridan’s campuses remain open and services continue to be available during a strike. Paid parking continues to be in effect.

  • Sheridan expects that non striking employees will be available to work as scheduled. In some cases, employees may be re-assigned work outside their normal duties. Specific expectations will be communicated by your manager. Non-striking employees, who are completing work on campus, will be required to cross picket lines. A protocol that educates our community about crossing picket lines safely and respectfully will be available on the strike information page.

Administrative Staff and Faculty

  • At this time, the collective bargaining process involves the union (OPSEU) representing full-time support staff employed by Ontario’s public colleges.

    Administrative staff and faculty are not directly involved. However, you may be asked to assist in ensuring the continuity of services for students and the Sheridan community during any labour action.

  • Yes, unless otherwise notified, administrative staff and faculty will continue to report to work as usual. Please consult with your manager if you have any specific concerns regarding your role during this time.

  • The rights and obligations of administrative and faculty do not change in the event of labour action by the CAAT-FTSS group. Therefore, administrative staff and faculty would be required to report to work and fulfill their duties.

  • There may be temporary adjustments to responsibilities to ensure that essential services continue. Your manager will communicate any changes directly to you.

  • Employees who are concerned about the impact of labour action on their role, or that of their department, should raise their questions with their manager. Additional information can be found on Collective Bargaining 2025 | Sheridan Central or by contacting hrstrike@sheridancollege.ca.

Collective Bargaining

Students

  • Yes. In Ontario, other employee groups cannot legally join a strike unless they are part of the same bargaining unit. Full-time and part-time professors/instructors and academic employees (such as librarians and counsellors) as well as part-time support staff will all continue working. However, support staff provide a wide range of student services which will be impacted.

  • Students are encouraged to regularly check their Sheridan email, the Collective Bargaining web page, and the Sheridan ALERT! app for real-time updates. We may also provide information via social media.

  • Please note that all official Sheridan global emails, including institutional strike updates, are sent to your Sheridan email address, not your SLATE inbox. Some Sheridan student inboxes direct Sheridan global emails to a “Focused” inbox, and the messages do not appear in your primary inbox. This setting change must be made by each user. View the instructions for making this change to your email settings.

  • Yes. In the event of labour action, Sheridan’s goal would be to allow for all student employees to continue in their roles. Please consult with your manager to confirm your duties, as some of your duties may change during a strike.

  • Students are free to make personal decisions about participating in demonstrations or picket lines, should they occur. However, the college encourages all students to prioritize their safety and academic responsibilities. Picket Line Guidelines will be available on our website.

  • Yes. Full-time and part-time professors and instructors as well as part-time support staff will all continue working. Staff who support a wide range of student services and supports will be impacted, but your academic year will continue as planned.

  • Sheridan has made the decision to postpone Fall Convocation ceremonies to Winter 2026. This decision was made to ensure students and their supporters had timely information to ensure a positive student experience without the risk of cancellation or disruption.

  • Sheridan will do everything it can to minimize the impact of a strike on students. Student support services may be impacted by the strike, but Sheridan will do everything it can to communicate to its staff and students the impact.

  • Yes, but the process may be affected by a strike. We encourage you to complete these tasks early, if possible, as response times may be slower than usual.

  • The college will continue working to provide you with a world-class college experience. The standard rules for refunds will continue to apply during a strike.

  • Paper transcripts or transcripts issued before 2005 will temporarily be suspended. You will still be able to access enrolment verification through myStudentCentre as well as electronic transcript through MyCreds.

  • Academic Appeals will continue during this time. Please follow the Appeals process outlined on Sheridan’s website.

  • We will continue to award electronic credentials. These will be available through MyCreds. Paper credentials will not be available for pick up. There will be delays in processing credentials prior to 2005.

  • OSAP processing will continue during labour disruption; however, processing timelines may be delayed. Please continue to monitor the status of your OSAP application through the OSAP website.

  • Refund processing will continue during labour disruption; however, processing timelines may be delayed. Refunds sent through direct international bank wires (i.e., not supported by the CIBC ISP portal) and domestic electronic fund transfers to third parties (except to the National Student Loans Service Centre), will not be processed during the strike.

  • Financial aid programs will continue to be available; however, processing timelines may be delayed. However, advising / budgeting support will not be available.

  • Adjudication of the Sheridan Tuition Bursary and Sheridan Bursary will not be impacted. If the labour disruption continues past October 5, applications for awards with deadlines on or after that date may take longer to process. If you applied for an award, you will be notified of any delays to the processing of your application.

  • Yes, you should submit your bursary, scholarship, and award applications as usual.

  • Your scholarship cheque can be mailed to Sheridan as mail services will remain operational; however, there may be delays in receiving and posting your scholarship payment.

  • Webinars scheduled during the strike will be postponed and rescheduled. New dates and times will be posted on the Financial Aid and Awards webpage once they are confirmed.

  • Emergency financial assistance will continue to be available. Processing timelines may be impacted.

  • Work study decisions will continue to be processed; however, there may be delays in processing timelines.

  • Yes, you will still be able to get your OSAP OAN during a strike. Information about obtaining your OAN will be communicated to current enrolled students at the onset of a labour disruption.

  • Yes, you will still be able to get your OSAP password reset during a strike. Information about obtaining and resetting your OSAP password will be posted on Sheridan’s Financial Aid and Awards webpage.

  • Your Fall 2025 registration should not be affected; however, invoicing to your third-party sponsor will be delayed. You will not be charged late fees because of invoicing delays.

  • In the event of a labour disruption, the Financial Aid and Awards Office will remain open; however, processing timelines may be delayed. Please continue to monitor the status of your OSAP application through the OSAP website. If a labour disruption affects OSAP or other financial aid programs, updates will be posted on Sheridan’s Financial Aid and Awards webpage.

  • During a FT support staff strike, the Learning Commons study spaces and Tutoring spaces will remain open during regular hours. Library in-person and virtual service points as well as Library study spaces will operate with modified hours, 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

    Reduced hours/limited LLS support will be provided for:

    • Research and Assignment help (via in-person or chat) 
    • Circulation of hard copy resources in Library collections 
    • Academic skills instruction 
    • Maintenance and updates of Library and Learning Services software and technology 
    • LLS orientation sessions 

    Closures and suspended services include:

    • Academic Integrity Office 
    • Academic Integrity Remediation 
    • Well Series  
    • Digital Wall 
    • eCOR service (electronic course readings) 

    The Library plans to provide digital literacy instruction and program review services as normal (online and in-person). Tutoring supports will continue to be available although new requests for tutoring made during a strike will not be possible.

  • Yes, but you should contact the Assessment Centre to confirm scheduling.

  • Yes. There is no interruption to students’ guard.me coverage.

  • It is your decision as to whether you feel comfortable speaking to media about your personal experiences and views related to any potential labour action. You are not obligated in any way to accept a media request for an interview. If you receive any questions about Sheridan’s official position related to a labour disruption, kindly ask the reporter to contact Communications at communications@sheridancollege.ca.

  • At this time, there will be no changes to fee payment deadlines due to the strike. However, should the strike action be prolonged, we will reassess the situation and communicate any updates as necessary. We remain committed to keeping you informed and minimizing any disruptions to your academic journey.

  • Co-op and internship work-terms will continue during a strike. However, if your co-op is at Sheridan and a support staff member is the supervisor for your work-term, it may be delayed or suspended. Please contact the Sheridan department where you are working to confirm the status of your work-term. If you have any questions about your co-op/internship, please contact your assigned co-op advisor or field placement coordinator (in FAHCS).

  • Most field placements/practicums with an external industry/community partner or employer may continue during a strike. If your supervisor is a support staff member and/or your placement requirement includes learning activities and reflection that are guided by support staff, the field placement/practicum may be suspended. You will receive communication from your Faculty/program regarding your specific program’s placement status.

  • Yes, co-op preparatory courses are cancelled. You do not need to attend your scheduled co-op prep class or submit assignments during the strike. You are encouraged to continue building your resume, practicing your interviews and applying to jobs. There are Sheridan online resources to support you include: SkillsFirst (for Artificial Intelligence support) and the Sheridan Job Search LibGuide.

International Students

  • Yes, unless Sheridan advises otherwise. Monitor your email and Sheridan's website for any changes.

  • Your study permit remains active and valid if there is a strike. A support staff strike is very unlikely to affect your academic progress. Sheridan will work to support your academic progress and maintain your student status during a strike.

  • A strike will not impact your eligibility for your PGWP.

  • Some services for international students may be impacted by a strike. Please check your email alongside Sheridan’s website and social channels for more information.

  • No. Faculty are not part of this strike, so classes should continue as scheduled.

  • Yes, international application processing will continue as normal; however, turnaround times may be extended.

  • Yes, PALs will be issued as normal.

  • Yes, LOA verifications will be performed as normal and in accordance with IRCC guidelines.

  • Yes, we will continue accepting study permits, proof of payment uploads, and facilitating registrations for the Fall semester as normal.

Prospective Students

  • Campus tours may not be available during a potential labour action. Please check your email before travelling to campus, as the Recruitment team will provide updates on what to expect on the day of your visit. Information about what we are able to accommodate will be communicated directly to all visitors.

  • Yes. Applications are still being accepted. However, processing times may be extended.

  • Applications will continue to be processed, but there may be delays in receiving confirmations or responses.

  • Some events or services may be adjusted. Updates will be shared in advance.

  • For admission inquiries, please visit the hub.sheridancollege.ca. Answers to many common questions can be found by reviewing our Knowledge Base or submitting a Get Help ticket. Learn more about admission requirements and processes at sheridancollege.ca/admissions. Questions will be answered in the order that they are received. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

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