The union representing more than 10,000 faculty members at Ontario colleges has reached a new tentative contract agreement.

OPSEU president Smokey Thomas said in a news release that the deal, if ratified, would provide no wage increase during the two-year term but would improve job security for many teachers.

"OPSEU stands with college students across the province. We pledge to continue to ensure that the quality education Ontario's students deserve is protected," Thomas said.

A turning point was when management removed a proposal to create a new job classification which the union said would have "increased the reliance on temporary staff .."

Part-time or partial-load faculty, will also get some job security in the new contract, including "first priority in hiring if their courses are re-offered."

The union did not immediately say when the ratification vote would take place.

The agreement comes against the backdrop of a growing labour problem between the Ontario Liberals and the members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation. Legislation forcing a new contract on the teachers is beging debated in the legislature this week.

On Tuesday the teachers held a rally at Queen's Park denouncing the bill.