The episode discusses the unexpected integration announcement by St. Lawrence College and Fleming College, its impact on the campus workforce, and the support and solidarity among members and colleges in response to the announcement.

Takeaways

• Unexpected integration announcement
• Impact on campus workforce
• Support and solidarity

The conversation delves into the financial transparency and deficit within the college, the challenges and struggles faced by faculty members, and the representation of part-time and sessional faculty. It provides insights into the financial details, the impact of layoffs, and the need for transparency. Additionally, it explores the struggles of faculty life, including the lack of accessibility to information and the importance of representation for part-time and sessional faculty.

00:00 Intro

01:15 Beyond the Headlines: March College Conversations

07:40 Part-Time & All In: Dale & Greg on Bargaining Prep

18:55 Kinda, Sorta, Maybe Grievable

26:10 Under 35 Opportunity

28:45 Closing Thoughts

In this special edition of CAAT Tales, we shine a light on OPSEU/SEFPO Region 4 activism, the people stepping up, and the pressures reshaping our sector.

From constitutional debates to hardship supports, from a newcomer’s first steps into union life to Algonquin College’s escalating crisis, this episode captures the grit, humour, and heart that fuel our movement. These are the stories behind the work — and the workers behind the stories.

00:00 – Welcome: Why This Moment Matters for Region 4

01:29 – Gillian Axten: Inside the Constitution Committee (Nerd Heaven Edition)

05:05 – Tabatha Rutledge: Hardship, Humanity & Accountability

08:45 – Lending Our Skills: Francophone Work & Provincial Engagement

13:00 – Arya Raju: From International Student to Union Delegate

22:28 – Algonquin College: Cuts, Chaos & Collective Pushback

38:03 – Tracy Henderson: Stepping Up to the Executive Board

45:57 – Christina Chrysler: What’s Coming at OPSEU Convention

55:11 – Closing Thoughts: Transparency, Solidarity & Next Steps

In this International Women’s Month edition of CAAT Tales, we celebrate the women who shape our lives, our classrooms, and our communities. Guest host Ekta Singh returns with a deeply warm and reflective installment of Belonging at the Table, joined by professors Xu Han and Allison Taylor. Together, they explore the women who raised them, the food and traditions that anchor their identities, and the ways care, culture, and leadership show up in their teaching at St. Lawrence College.

We also continue our popular segment Is It a Gripe or a Grievance?, where Gillian Axten breaks down Article 13, academic freedom, and what faculty can do when instructional direction conflicts with professional judgment.

Finally, in our Member Spotlight, host Julie White sits down with part-time faculty member Maria Helena Delgado, who shares her journey from Bogotá to Kingston, her work as an interpreter, and the courage that lives inside every accent..

Takeaways

• The influence of women in everyday acts is powerful
• Navigating academic contracts and asserting academic freedom is essential Embracing change and new opportunities
• The power of mentorship and impactful teaching

Chapters

• 00:00 The Power of Women in Everyday Acts
• 05:55 Family Traditions and Cultural Identity
• 11:32 Transition to Canada and Family Support
• 17:07 Cultural Understanding and Communication
• 23:02 Teaching Indigenous Ways of Knowing
• 30:07 Empowering International Students and Cultures
• 35:21 Cultural Understanding and Inclusivity in Education
• 42:17 Embracing Diversity and Unique Experiences

In this episode of CAAT Tales, host Julie White sits down with longtime SLC Trades Professor Barry Botham for a deeply human conversation about grief, caregiving, and the unexpected path that led him to become an end‑of‑life doula.

Barry shares how supporting students through profound loss reshaped his work, what it means to hold space for people at the end of life, and why he’s now designing a 22‑string reverie harp for use in music therapy.

Later, in the Fine Print Forum, Communications Lead Christina Chrysler unpacks the Ontario Court of Appeal’s recent ruling on Bill 178 — the 2017 back‑to‑work legislation that ended the faculty strike. She breaks down what the decision means for our Charter rights, how the Oakes test shaped the outcome, and what this precedent could mean for future bargaining across the labour movement.

Plus, in Know Your Rights, Curtis Runions walks listeners through the foundational workload caps in Article 11 of our Collective Agreement — 44 hours total, 18 teaching contact hours, and the upcoming increase to seven hours of complementary functions.

It’s an episode that blends humour, humanity, legal insight, and practical guidance—reflecting the full spectrum of life in our college community.

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This week on CAAT Tales, we explore belonging, applied research, and the financial realities shaping student life at SLC.
Ekta Singh speaks with Dr. Maha Othman about identity, faith, and the rhythms of Ramadan in Belonging at the Table.
We spotlight nursing faculty Julie Dyke and Andrea Rochon, whose new NSERC/COCO‑CIF grant is driving a province‑wide applied research project in long‑term care.
And we close with Financial Aid Advisor Kyle Valpy and Local 417 Communications Officer Christina Chrysler, unpacking the Ford government’s OSAP changes and what they could mean for students.

00:26 — Welcome & Episode Overview
Host Julie White introduces segments on Belonging, research, and the financial pressures facing students.

01:55 — OSAP Changes Explained
What the shift from 85% to 25% grants means and how students are reacting.

03:16 — Federal vs. Provincial Funding
Kyle breaks down how OSAP assessments actually work.

04:10 — Student Concerns
Living allowance gaps, affordability worries, and early questions.

07:19 — Student Advocacy & Save OSAP
Organizing, rallies, and the political context.

09:12 — Supports Beyond OSAP
Emergency funds, bursaries, food resources, and debunking the “OSAP means you can’t work” myth.

13:05 — Who Applies for OSAP?
Why 65% of domestic students apply—and why more should.

16:39 — Tuition Increases
The upcoming 2% annual rise and what it signals.

Identity, faith, mentorship, and the sensory memories of Ramadan.

26:21 — The Aroma of Home
Soup simmering before iftar and the grounding role of Quran recitation.

30:16 — Rhythms of Ramadan
Fasting, prayer, and time management.

34:02 — Sharing Ramadan with Students
Visibility, connection, and inspiration.

35:12 — Institutional Awareness
Prayer spaces, scheduling challenges, and what support looks like.

40:48 — Key Arabic Phrases
Ramadan Kareem, Eid Mubarak, and how to offer meaningful greetings.

A three‑year applied research project focused on long‑term care placements and nursing recruitment.

45:36 — Teaching & Research Journeys
How Julie and Andrea arrived at this work.

50:35 — The Project’s Core Question
Improving LTC placements to strengthen the workforce pipeline.

52:20 — Social Media Strategy
Reframing LTC as meaningful, skilled, and rewarding.

55:07 — Scope & Timeline
A province‑wide initiative with multi‑site partnerships.

1:03:07 — Student Research Assistants
Building capacity and creating paid opportunities.

1:04:46 — Advice for COCO‑CIF Applicants
Start early, build partnerships, think big.

Interested in learning more about the grant process? Visit College and Community Social Innovation Fund grants | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaCollege and Community Social Innovation Fund grants | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

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Creativity, Coding, and Collective Power: Chris Trimmer, Dale Gartshore & James Dupuis

This episode marks a turning point for CAAT Tales as we expand our spotlight to include the growing movement of part‑time and sessional faculty across Ontario’s colleges.

With certification finally secured after eight long years, a new division is taking shape—and the work of organizing, connecting, and building power is happening right now.

We open the show with Steward Chris Trimmer, whose mix of psychology, music, data, and student‑centred teaching sets the tone for how creativity and advocacy can intersect on campus. But the heart of this episode is our deep dive into the province‑wide mobilization underway for part‑time and sessional faculty.

Dale Gartshore from Local 125 joins us to unpack the historic 2017 vote, the sealed ballot boxes, and the overwhelming 71 percent mandate that finally became official in 2024. Dale walks us through what certification means, why EMF signings are the engine of this moment, and how the upcoming 24‑college roadshow is designed to build relationships, strengthen composite locals, and prepare for a first collective agreement that truly reflects the needs of precarious faculty. Watch for them coming to SLC campuses in early April!

Finally, James Dupuis opens up about the Game Programming industry, sharing his passion for working with students and problem-solving. He admits that Professor isn’t a role he thought he’d see on his resume when he was in high school, but it is a role he’s found comfort in.

💡 Why This Episode Matters

Part‑time and sessional faculty now have a certified division, a bargaining team, and a province‑wide organizing plan—and this episode helps set the stage for what comes next. It’s a moment of momentum, clarity, and collective purpose, and we’re bringing it directly to the members who will shape the first agreement.

Chapters:

01:01 Getting to Know Your LEC: Chris Trimmer

04:39 Chris's Path to Teaching at SLC

07:40 Music, CBT, and Teaching Philosophy

09:40 Joining Local 417 & the Data Group

13:51 Collaboration across the College

15:32 Launching Part Time & All In

15:51 Meet Dale Gartshore

17:24 The Climate for Part-Time Faculty

20:19 Solidarity In Action

22:52 Growth of Part-Time Faculty & Precarity

25:07 The Roadshow and Member Engagement

28:37 Preparing for a First Collective Agreement

34:46 The CAAT Family

42:56 Is it a Gripe or a Grievance?

44:26 Member Spotlight - Meet James Dupuis

50:22 Growing in the Game Programming Industry

56:04 The Madden-ing Years

59:55 Shaking the Dislike for Presentations

01:02:28 Game Programming is Much More than Gaming

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In this episode of CAAT Tales, host Julie White brings listeners a warm, funny, and deeply human conversation with longtime faculty member and union steward Curtis Runions—a communications professor whose mix of heart, humour, and quiet discipline has shaped classrooms and colleagues alike. From his daily guitar‑practice streak (“once I start a streak, I don’t like to break the streak” ) to his unexpected path from childcare centres to college teaching, Curtis opens up about the moments that shaped him, the joy of watching students cross the graduation stage, and the meaningful work of supporting members as a steward.

Later in the episode, Julie sits down with Tom Brennan, a faculty representative on the Joint Health and Safety Committee. Tom demystifies what the committee actually does, why inspections matter, and how faculty can play a proactive role in keeping classrooms safe. He shares practical insights—from reporting hazards to navigating emergencies—and highlights the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps campuses running smoothly. As Tom puts it, the committee’s job is simple but essential: “everything you could think of in that building is looked at from a health and safety perspective”

This episode blends storytelling, practical guidance, and a celebration of the people who make our college community stronger. Whether you’re tuning in during winter reading week or catching up later, it’s an empowering listen.

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Welcome back to CAAT Tales, hosted by Julie White.
In this episode, we launch our very first Fine Print Forum, bringing Local 417 voices together to unpack the headlines shaping our campuses and our sector. Then we shift gears and get to know LEC member John Holmes—including one of the most unintentionally hilarious rapid‑fire answers we’ve had yet.

Guests:

• Christina Decarie, President, Local 417
• Chris Chrysler, Communications Officer, Local 417

We break down the February 12th provincial announcement and explore:

• Why $6.4B is significant—but still years overdue
• How chronic underfunding continues to shape Ontario colleges
• The lack of clarity around allocation, timelines, and strings attached
• Why faculty and students shouldn’t let their guard down
• The political timing of the announcement and its impact on pre‑bargaining
• The risk of public perception shifting back to “greedy teacher” narratives

The conversation turns to:

• The shift toward 75% loans / 25% grants
• How tuition increases act as a “poor tax”
• Barriers for mature students, rural students, and low‑income families
• The ripple effects on enrolment, labour shortages, and community wellbeing
• Why access to education is a necessity—not a privilege

We discuss:

• The appointment of a new acting CEO and plan manager
• Why current issues relate to governance, not fund performance
• OPSEU/SEFPO’s transparency and oversight
• Why members should stay informed

Glenn’s appointment as chair of the Ontario Regional Economic and Workforce Innovation Network sparks a conversation about:

• The importance of rural and northern college representation
• How smaller colleges build collective strength
• Ensuring leadership stays connected to on‑the‑ground realities

Gillian joins briefly to answer a member question:

• There is no right to become coordinator
• Management makes the appointment
• Coordinators are encouraged to rotate and take breaks

• His early goal of joining the Foreign Service
• Studying at RMC and paying his own tuition to avoid mandatory service
• Teaching around the world
• What brought him back to Canada and eventually to SLC
• Why he loves the flexibility, collegiality, and idea‑driven environment of teaching

John reflects on:

• Why he stepped into the steward role
• The importance of data, fairness, and collective rights
• Lessons from global workplaces
• Encouraging colleagues to get involved in whatever way they can

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In this episode of CAAT Tales, we introduce a brand‑new feature: Belonging at the Kitchen Table. Host Julie White kicks things off with a rapid‑fire chat with Lisa Macdonald, one of Local 417’s first part‑time/sessional stewards.

Then, Ekta Singh sits down with Dr. Sephora Kerekou to explore culture, identity, teaching, and the meaning of Black History Month through the lens of resilience and belonging.

We wrap with a Member Spotlight featuring Stacey Airhart and her daughter Aspen, who share their family’s five‑year journey with the 1000 Hours Outside initiative—and how outdoor time builds connection, wellbeing, and joy. This episode closes with a deeper dive into personal leave in our Is it a Gripe or a Grievance segment.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome to CAAT Tales
Julie opens the episode and previews our three features: Get to Know Your LEC, Belonging at the Kitchen Table, and our Member Spotlight.

00:28 — Get to Know Your LEC: Lisa
Rapid‑fire questions with Lisa, one of Local 417’s first part‑time sessional stewards. Shoes, storytelling, collectivist values, and why she stepped into union leadership.

17:21 — Belonging at the Kitchen Table: Dr. Sephora Kerekou
Hosted by Ekta Singh. A conversation about culture, identity, teaching, military service, entrepreneurship, and the meaning of Black History Month.

39:46 — Member Spotlight: Stacey & Aspen on 1000 Hours Outside
A joyful look at outdoor family life, wellbeing, and building habits of movement and connection—featuring Aspen’s favourite winter adventures.

49:57 — Closing Reflections
Julie wraps the episode with gratitude and a look ahead.

Want to sign your union card? Visit slcfaculty.ca

Click here for more about the 1000 Hours Outside .

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