Update 2: What you need to know during the GDI work stoppage

This message is being shared on behalf of Jennifer Cosway, associate vice-president, Human Resources. Please direct any questions to Amanda Blenkhorn, manager, Ancillary Services, at ext. 2213.

GDI Integrated Facility Services (GDI) is the contracted cleaning service that Durham College (DC) uses to maintain the cleanliness of its offices and educational areas. As communicated last week, GDI unionized employees, represented by Unifor Local 222, are currently in a work stoppage and continue to picket along the perimeter of the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Please anticipate delays when arriving and leaving campus.

Arriving to campus:

Picketers are not permitted to prevent access to campus or use aggressive behaviour. While they are required to keep traffic moving across picket lines, stopping of vehicles and attempts to engage in discussions causing delays should be expected. Large gatherings of picketers are anticipated.

Expectations of students and employees when approaching campus entrances:

  • Anticipate delays and plan your visit to campus accordingly.
  • If operating a vehicle, approach the entrances with caution, being mindful of picketers and oncoming traffic.
  • Picketers may hand you information or converse with you as you approach the line—please know you have a right not to engage in conversation or disclose personal information with picketers.

Please remain respectful and patient when passing GDI picketers. It is important to remember that GDI employees picketing in a lawful strike are members of our campus community.

If you encounter any difficulties crossing the picket lines and need immediate help to address safety concerns, please contact Durham Regional Police Service through 911. If you personally experienced an incident while crossing the picket lines that you would like to report, please email incidentreport@durhamcollege.ca with an explanation of what occurred, your full name and Banner ID/student number.

Public transportation:

Public transit to and from our Oshawa and Whitby campuses continues as scheduled; however, buses will not cross the picket line. As a result, new temporary stops for Durham Region Transit (DRT), as well as GO Transit, have been created at safe and convenient locations, which can be found online under the transit section. Please be aware that DRT’s Specialized Services continue to provide its regular service onto campus for those requiring accessible transportation.

Cleaning protocols:

The safety of our campus community and the college’s cleanliness are our top priorities. GDI continues to maintain service standards to ensure our campus cleaning protocols are met. Priority service is given to high-traffic areas, washrooms, waste removal, slip and fall hazards and keeping educational areas clean to support program delivery.

We will continue to provide updates via:

Students: DC Mail, DC app, and the website.
Employees:  Email, ICE and the website.

Thank you for your co-operation and patience during this time.