Uncertainty for support workers as an underfunded CEGEP crumbles

Crumbling buildings, deteriorating working conditions and student services, and an administration dipping into emergency funds to continue operations—the CEGEP de Saint-Laurent is falling to pieces in more ways than one. Its support staff are worried about what the future holds.

“We’re in a CEGEP that’s collapsing, so if there’s one promise and one certainty I can give you today, it’s that we’re going to need emergency funds,” says Jess Corteau, head of mobilization for the support workers’ union of the CEGEP de Saint-Laurent. 

The North Star sat down with Corteau to discuss the mounting difficulties facing workers and students alike. There are over 100 support workers at the CEGEP, whose jobs include maintenance, course technicians, support staff for adapted learning, and specialized workers like plumbers and electricians. 

“For now, we haven’t experienced job cuts because, like many CEGEPs, we had what’s called a reserve fund. This is generally what we keep for emergencies,” says Corteau. 

“But we’re spending them because, for now, the CEGEP has chosen to keep all the staff. But we know it’s temporary. We’re very aware that we’re just kicking the can down the road.” ¹. 

According to Corteau, their jobs are much less protected than either the professors or professional workers. Due to their relatively higher numbers and the lower visibility of their work, they are especially vulnerable to staff and service cuts. 

“As long as there are a certain number of students, you can’t cut professors. It’s in the contracts. They’re very well protected. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for support staff. There aren’t any rules that say, above 3,000 students, you need a certain number of cleaning staff.” 

Recent CAQ policies have only worsened the mounting problems facing higher education in Quebec. In November of 2024, the CAQ instituted a hiring freeze on “administrative” personnel, a broad category including many support workers, which has left essential positions vacant.

In March of 2025, the government announced budget cuts of $151 million for all CEGEPs₂. These policies create the incentive for further privatization and outsourcing in the public sector.

“Will there be layoffs or service cuts? Will library hours be reduced, as has been done in other CEGEPs? Our technology resources are already closed during the lunch hour, which causes a tremendous number of problems. Will they cut even further? These are the concerns we’re having. We’re very worried about staffing cuts and outsourcing.” 

“Almost all the night maintenance is done by an external company and we see the problems it causes. We have difficulty communicating. These companies don’t treat their employees extraordinarily well, so naturally the work reflects that.” 

While support workers have been spared from job cuts thus far, Corteau sees where the CEGEP is headed without a change in policy. 

“Even if these are extremely relevant and useful services, when it comes to balancing the budget, there will no longer be any questions about whether it’s a student service or anything else. Those in precarious employment will be the first to go. And after that, I expect we’ll be talking about restructuring, reorganization—all the administrative nonsense that will make us extremely vulnerable. We’re already seeing it; I have people going on sick leave due to burnout almost every week. Right now, I have people replacing replacements. It’s completely absurd.”

And, as we see throughout the general trend of austerity for the many, there are always resources for those on top. 

“On the other hand, there’s no shortage of administrators. They’re everywhere. There are always more directors. We don’t see any cuts on that side. There’s no hiring freeze for executives.”