CAAT Tales (the podcast)

“CAAT Tales: Heard Loud and Local” From grievances to game shows, bargaining to member spotlights—this is your SLC Faculty Local 417 in stereo. Tune in for empowering stories, urgent updates, and the voices of the people who’ve got your back.

CAAT Tales (the podcast) is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts CAAT Tales (the podcast), a education show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #35

  S2E35: CAAT Tales: Surveys, Policies and Requirements, Oh My!

  Sep 30, 20261h 1mS2

  In this episode of CAAT Tales , Julie breaks down the September 29 "Integration Engagement" email and what it really means for faculty and support staff at St. Lawrence College. Local 417 President Gillian Axten and Local 418 Support President Amanda Shaw unpack the survey, the lack of transparency, and the growing precarity facing workers during the SLC–Fleming integration. This episode also tackles two major faculty responsibilities at St. Lawrence College: conflict of interest (COI) disclosure and maintaining professional currency under AC407 . Julie sits down with Local 417 President Gillian Axten and Lead Steward John Holmes to break down what counts as outside work, when disclosure is required, and how faculty can navigate the overlap between real‑world practice and college policy. Then, in our Steward Profile series, we meet Owais Aziz , whose journey from student activism to disaster‑relief medicine to teaching at SLC reveals a life shaped by courage, community, and deep commitment to collective care. Plus: the latest 411 on 417 , including a fall GMM save‑the‑date and a reminder to complete the faculty demand‑set survey . Links of Interest: Send your thoughts on the college merger to: integration@sl.on.ca Fill out the college's survey: https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/integration AC 407 FT/PL Demand Set Survey (PT and SL are welcome to complete it too!)

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  Episode #34

  S2E34: CAAT Tales: Coordinated Bargaining 101 and Why Your SWF Matters

  Sep 23, 202656 minS2

  In this episode, we site down with Ben McCarthy (Part-Time Academic Lead Steward, OPSEU Local 556) to unpack the growing movement toward coordinated bargaining across Ontario's 24 public colleges -- why the silos are cracking, what's shifting at the bargaining table, and how the rank-and-file members can strengthen this sector-wide strategy. Later in the episode, Julie is joined by Local 417 President Gillian Axten and Lead Steward John Holmes for a deep dive into Winter SWF season: evaluation factors, overtime traps, cross-campus assignments, and what faculty need to watch as the draft SWFs roll out. Links of interest: CAAT-A Collective Agreement Connect with a Steward here

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  Episode #33

  S2E33:CAAT Tales Special Episode: Answering Merger-Related Questions

  Sep 22, 202621 minS2

  “We’ve been stuck in a stalemate… fighting to get a seat at the table.” “There is obviously an ongoing theme that we don’t know some things yet.” This special edition of CAAT Tales brings together all four OPSEU Local Presidents from St. Lawrence College and Fleming College to respond directly to the questions raised during the historic Sept. 10 joint town hall — a gathering that drew hundreds of faculty and support staff across both institutions. With the proposed April 1, 2027 merger looming, and with workers still shut out of planning discussions, this episode offers the clearest picture yet of what the presidents know, what they don’t, and what they’re fighting for. Featuring: Marcia Steeves , Local 351 (Support – SLC) Amanda Shaw , Local 418 (Support – SLC) Michael Benedict , Local 352 (Academic – SLC) Gillian Axten , Local 417 (Academic – Fleming) Together, they tackle your questions about OPSEU’s role, legal challenges, employment stability, program futures, political pressure, and how members can stay informed in a rapidly shifting landscape.

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  Episode #32

  S2E32: CAAT Tales: Your Voice, Your Contract, Your Community: A Member-Directed Episode

  Sep 16, 202644 minS2

  Three conversations shaping the year ahead: what the 2027 Bargaining Survey means for faculty, the story of a new steward stepping up during uncertainty, and how to keep colleges on the radar during municipal elections. Segment 1 (00:26) — The 2026 Bargaining Survey Local 417 President Gillian Axten explains why this year’s survey matters more than ever as St. Lawrence and Fleming become Ontario’s merger test case. We cover ranked priorities, job security, working conditions, precarity, and how member participation shapes the next collective agreement. Segment 2 (14:11)— Member Spotlight: Houcine Houssa Meet new steward Houcine Houssa. From Morocco to engineering, manufacturing, and now teaching, Houcine shares his path, his passion for training and mentorship, and why he’s stepping into union and health & safety work during a time of change. Segment 3 (33:30) — Municipal Election Advocacy A practical guide to speaking with municipal candidates about our colleges. Key issues, essential questions, and how to keep public education on the radar throughout the campaign.

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  Episode #31

  S2E31: CAAT Tales Special Episode: The Presidents' Town Hall

  Sep 10, 202645 minS2

  A first‑of‑its‑kind conversation in Ontario’s college sector. This special CAAT Tales episode is a recording of a historic joint town hall Sept 10, 2026 featuring all four OPSEU Local Presidents from St. Lawrence College and Fleming College . Together, they confront the uncertainty, urgency, and emotion surrounding the unprecedented merger of the two institutions — a merger they learned about “five minutes after it went to press.” Across academic and support staff perspectives, the presidents speak candidly about: the absence of meaningful consultation with the Colleges, the grievances and unfair labour practice complaints already filed, the looming OCAS deadlines and the fear of decisions being made without worker input, the risks to small campuses, workloads, pedagogy, and program delivery, and the growing need for solidarity, visibility, and community pressure. It’s raw, direct, and deeply human — a landmark moment of transparency and collective resolve as workers navigate the largest structural shift in Ontario colleges in decades. Do you have questions you want the presidents to address in future episodes? Email them, or send a message to julie.white@slcfaculty.ca

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