The union representing more than ten thousand community college faculty has requested the services of a Ministry of Labour conciliator as contract talks with management have come to a standstill.

Carolyn Gaunt, co-chair of the bargaining team for OPSEU says, management is saying they want a deal by the Aug. 31st deadline but evidence to that is quite contrary based on what is not happening in negotiations.

Gaunt also says that negotiators for the colleges have rejected every proposal and will not table their complete offer, so they had no choice to go to a conciliator.

Key issues for the union include academic freedom, online teaching and fair treatment for part-time faculty.

The two sides are scheduled to meet next on Aug. 14.

Faculty are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.