TORONTO - Contract talks resume today aimed at averting a strike at Ontario's 24 colleges.

More than 8,000 support staff workers will be in a legal strike position on Sept. 1.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has been negotiating with management since June but it says there has been only limited progress.

Rod Bemister, chair of the union's bargaining team, has warned that students should be aware the start of the school year could be in jeopardy.

The union says it opposes the colleges' proposals for two-tier employment and the erosion of full-time jobs.