Kingston unions demand answers over merger plan of two colleges

Faculty and support staff at St. Lawrence College are demanding greater transparency regarding a planned integration with Fleming College.

Unions representing faculty and support staff at St. Lawrence College are demanding greater transparency from the college’s leadership, arguing key documents related to its planned integration with Fleming College leave workers in the dark about the institution’s future. OPSEU/SEFPO Locals 417 and 418 said in a press release on Friday that a recently released St. Lawrence College business plan makes no mention of the college’s anticipated dissolution, despite language in the college’s audited financial statements. The unions claim the current documents available indicate the institution is expected to cease to exist as a standalone entity once its assets are transferred to a new organization.

“The fact the college doesn’t have planning for a merger as a goal, let alone its primary goal, for this fiscal year is mind boggling,” Gillian Axten, president of Local 417, said in the statement. The unions said the omission has fuelled concerns about transparency, governance and employee involvement in decisions surrounding the proposed merger. St. Lawrence College and Fleming College announced in April that they had agreed to integrate as equal partners, launching a process to create a larger institution intended to improve long-term sustainability and expand educational opportunities across Eastern Ontario.

Both colleges said at the time that existing campuses, programs, brands and student supports would remain in place during the transition, with the new entity expected to be in place by April 2027, according to information released by the colleges. The colleges have said the integration is intended to strengthen financial sustainability and expand opportunities for students across their combined regions. Amanda Shaw, president of Local 418, which represents support staff, said workers are struggling with uncertainty as the integration process moves forward.

“Support staff are already carrying the uncertainty of this merger, and the business plan only adds to it,” Shaw said. “It outlines multi-year digital transformation projects and operational initiatives as if SLC will continue independently, even though the financial statements say the College will be dissolved. Our members deserve honesty about what systems will change, what jobs will change, and what workload impacts are coming.”

The unions are calling on the college to release all materials provided to its board of governors regarding the merger, any analyses examining impacts on employees and students, an explanation for the omission of dissolution from the business plan, and a timeline for employee engagement. They also requested a meeting with college president Glenn Vollebregt. “Belonging is a key value touted by administration.

It must be more than branding,” Axten said. “It must be reflected in how decisions are made and who is invited into the room.” In a statement provided Friday, following the unions’ plea, the college said the integration remains in its early stages and that further consultations will occur as plans become more defined.

“The integration of Fleming College and St. Lawrence College is a proactive step to strengthen both institutions for the future while expanding access to education across Eastern Ontario and delivering long-term benefits to students, regional workforces, and communities,” the statement said. “The work of the integration is at a preliminary stage, and as details are confirmed, consultations and operational planning will commence.” The college added that both institutions remain focused on supporting students and employees while maintaining operations throughout the transition.

Since announcing the integration in April, both colleges have consistently said there are no immediate plans to alter campus operations, academic programs, student services or institutional branding, and that future planning will include engagement with key stakeholders. Local 417 represents faculty members at St. Lawrence College, while Local 418 represents support staff across the college’s Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall campuses. Bihall@postmedia.com