John Abbott College faculty say toxic work climate undermining campus morale
Teachers at the West Island CEGEP gathered Tuesday to protest what they describe as months of workplace dysfunction, citing a vacant HR position and attacks on governance members.
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Professors at John Abbott College gathered outside the campus Tuesday morning to protest what they say is a toxic work environment that has deteriorated over recent months, as the 2026 school year begins.
Maria Mastorakos, president of the John Abbott College Faculty Association (JACFA-CSN), described the situation bluntly. "A cloud hangs over the start of the 2026 school year," she stated, "while we are bogged down in an execrable work climate."
The faculty association cited two specific concerns: no full-time dedicated staff member has been assigned to the Human Resources Department since January, and what Mastorakos called "unjustified attacks on our members who sit on governance bodies" are undermining academic freedom and collegiality.
The union's concerns are backed by an internal college document. In a recent Access to Information Act request, when the College's management asked workers to describe the culture at John Abbott, some of the words used by staff were "toxic," "tense," and "dysfunctional."
The protest drew support from teachers' delegations from other CEGEPs across the province, who came to pressure college management to settle disputes in good faith and improve labour relations.
Yves de Repentigny, vice-president responsible for the CEGEP group at the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec (FNEEQ-CSN), which represents 85 percent of CEGEP teachers and 80 percent of lecturers in Quebec universities, called for action. "After months of tension that are rotting the climate, after union calls for dialogue, it is time for the Minister of Higher Education to give the College the means to pacify its labour relations and raise awareness among management."
Reporters reached out to John Abbott College for comment but has not yet received a response. The college has not said when it will address the HR staffing gap or respond to the faculty association's specific allegations.
When will John Abbott College management respond to the faculty association's allegations and staffing concerns?
What timeline does the college have to fill the vacant HR position?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did John Abbott College faculty protest workplace conditions?
John Abbott College professors gathered outside the campus on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 to protest what they described as a toxic work environment.
How long has the HR department been understaffed at John Abbott College?
No full-time dedicated staff member has been assigned to the Human Resources Department at John Abbott College since January 2026.
What words did John Abbott College staff use to describe workplace culture?
In an internal college document obtained through an Access to Information Act request, staff members described John Abbott College's culture as 'toxic,' 'tense,' and 'dysfunctional.'
