Ontario college students can breathe a sigh of relief now that classes will go ahead as usual on Thursday.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents college faculty, instructors, and lilbrarians, and the College Employer Council have agreed to enter binding arbitration.
The two sides will continue to work with a mediator on the issues they can find middle ground, and an arbitrator will rule on the issues they can not.
College faculty and staff were set to walk off the job on Thursday.
"Our goal throughout negotiations has been to recognize the hard work of academic employees and to keep students in class," said CEC CEO Graham Lloyd. "To this end, CEC offered several breakthrough proposals such as enhanced benefits for partial-load employees. Throughout the bargaining process, CEC has put students first."
OPSEU represents 15,000 members at Ontario colleges.
"Faculty working conditions are student learning conditions, and with a historic strike mandate and province-wide organizing, faculty sent a clear message that we're ready to stand up to protect both," said Chair of the Faculty Bargaining Team Ravi Ramkissoonsingh.
The two sides agreed to binding arbitration after two days of meetings with a mediator.
Arbitrator William Kaplan will rule on a new contract for college faculty.