The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents about 6,500 college support staff workers, is heading back to the bargaining table in August after voting last week to authorize a September strike.

"We did hold a vote last Wednesday in regards to the last offer we had received from the colleges and we turned down the offer by 79 per cent and had a 69 per cent strike mandate given to us," said Rod Bemister, chairman of the support staff bargaining team for the union. Two-thirds of union members participated in the vote, he said.

Support staff includes everyone from cleaners to IT workers to financial aid officers.

"I'd like to loosely describe it as everything except teaching and telling people what to do," said Mr. Bemister.

There are two sticking points for the union, one of which is wages. Mr. Bemister said he's looking for the same wage increase teaching staff is getting, which is four per cent.

"We've been offered three per cent, so we're looking for some sort of wage equality," he said, adding that doesn't mean support staff is looking for the same wages as teachers, just the same percentage increase.

As well, the union wants to keep wage comparisons within the college system as opposed to comparing them to other public service groups in Ontario.

The union goes back to the bargaining table Aug. 12 and both sides will be working with a provincial mediator, Mr. Bemister said. Another round of bargaining is scheduled for the end of August. The union's contract expires Aug. 31.

"Worst-case scenario is we don't get a deal and Sept. 1, we actually use our strike mandate," Mr. Bemister said.

Durham College interim president Don Lovisa said the college respects the provincial bargaining process and values its support staff.

"We're hoping that they find a resolution by September before the academic year starts up," he said.

However, every college has a contingency plan if staff hits the picket lines.

"Our goal is to service students, however that looks," Mr. Lovisa said. "It's really hard for me to speculate what strategies would be in place, but our plan is to be open in September regardless of the situation."

Durham College will work to keep students informed, including sending out e-mail updates.

"I sent out a communication to all students just letting them know the negotiations are ongoing and we'll be in touch with them throughout the summer," Mr. Lovisa said.

College faculty members went on strike for 18 days in March 2006.