A five-week strike at 24 colleges including St. Clair College is over after full-time support staff across Ontario ratified a new contract that includes enhanced benefits and pay raises.

The College Employer Council (CEC), a government mandated bargaining agent for Ontario’s publicly funded colleges, said the new collective agreement was approved during a five-day ratification vote that ended Tuesday.

“Support staff play an important role in our colleges, supporting operations and contributing to student success,” said council CEO Graham Lloyd. “We are grateful to have them back to work and that they ratified the new collective agreement.”

The three-year contract for Ontario’s 10,000 full-time college support staff, all members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), cove

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