St. Clair College has cancelled all classes for Thursday as striking support staff are staging a day of action by blocking any entrance to campus.
The striking support staff are blocking and delaying traffic from using the Cabana Road entrance and the one off the Herb Grey Parkway.
Vice President of Communications John Fairley says out of an abundance of caution for our students and staff, the college has decided to cancel all classes at the South Windsor campus.
Fairley says the college will continue to monitor the situation and feels this is the best decision for staff and students.
"We've never had this situation with so many people and the delays and that kind of thing, which they're able to do," says Fairley.
A day of action for the support staff strike at Ontario colleges. At St. Clair College, striking members are not letting vehicles pass the picket line #cklw @AM800CKLW pic.twitter.com/NfHTtVTXXX
— Rob Hindi (@rhindi800) October 2, 2025
OPSEU Local 137 represents 193 full-time support staff members at St. Clair College in Windsor and Chatham-Kent.
They're part of the 10,000 full-time support staff from Ontario's 24 publicly funded colleges who walked off the job September 11 after the two sides failed to reach a new collective agreement.
Speaking on AM800's Mornings with Mike and Meg, OPSEU Local 137 vice president of communications Justin Fox said representatives from Fanshawe College in London and Lambton College in Sarnia joined the Windsor picket.
"Today throughout Ontario, 10,000 striking college support workers are coming together across the province as we fight for a fair contract to protect our jobs," says Fox.
He says the union needed to do this today.
"With talks breaking off again on Monday, we needed to do something so we can get the community the information they deserve," he says.
Fox says the union apologizes to the community and respects the community's frustration.
"The last thing we wanted to do is frustrate the community and the students, but unfortunately at this point, we have to get our messages out there," says Fox.
The day of action for support staff at Ontario colleges including St. Clair started around 7 a.m. Support staff from Lambton and Fanshawe colleges are joining the Windsor picket today. #cklw @AM800CKLW pic.twitter.com/5qQcxPx1hO
— Rob Hindi (@rhindi800) October 2, 2025
Improved wages, benefits, and job security are the key issues in negotiations.
Multiple Windsor police officers are on scene to ensure public safety and manage traffic flow.
Police ask drivers to avoid the area if possible and refrain from contacting the 911 Emergency Centre about this situation unless you have an emergency.
Traffic on Cabana Rd is moving but the entrance to St. Clair College remains blocked. Classes have been cancelled at the South Windsor Campus. #cklw @AM800CKLW pic.twitter.com/YsXBdTCoOy
— Rob Hindi (@rhindi800) October 2, 2025