Latest news with #DalhousieFacultyAssociation
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Dalhousie University faculty to be locked out Wednesday unless deal is made
Dalhousie University will lock out more than 1,000 faculty members Wednesday unless both parties agree to a new collective agreement. The Dalhousie Faculty Association – which represents full-time professors, librarians, counsellors and instructors – and the board of governors have been engaged in negotiations for a new deal since May. The previous three-year collective agreement expired at the end of June. Last week, Dalhousie president Kim Brooks issued the university's final offer to the union, proposing a wage increase of two per cent per year for three years. David Westwood, president of the Association, previously told CTV News Atlantic the union is looking for a seven per cent wage increase in the first year, followed by four per cent increases in the second and third years. The university, which reported a $20.6-million deficit in its 2025-2026 operating budget, previously said it had 'significant financial challenges' in meeting the Association's wage increase request. In a statement on Monday, the university put out its intention to lock out members of the union at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday unless a deal is reached. 'An August lockout would disrupt a lot of teaching,' Westwood previously said. 'It's also a top month when graduate students are defending their theses. All those defences would be terminated if there's a lockout. Our members would be unable to do the preparations to get ready for September.' The Dalhousie website says the campus would remain open during a lockout, but all classes taught by Association members would be suspended. If the lockout extends into the fall term, students will receive further instruction about possible course suspensions. All other employees outside the Association will report to work as usual. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Dalhousie University issues lockout notice to faculty union
Dalhousie University will lock out faculty association members beginning Wednesday morning, but the university says students should still plan to arrive on campus at the beginning of the fall term. The university's board of governors and the Dalhousie Faculty Association have been unable to reach a contract agreement through negotiations and conciliation over the past few months. The previous collective agreement expired on June 30. The association represents nearly 1,000 professors, instructors, librarians and professional counsellors at Nova Scotia's largest university. After the final conciliation meeting on Aug. 11, the union said it would bring the university's final offer to its membership for a vote that would end on Aug. 21 at the earliest, though it said that deadline could be extended. In a statement issued Monday morning, Dalhousie president Kim Brooks said the lockout is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday unless a collective agreement is reached. The statement says Brooks asked DFA president David Westwood to conclude the voting period by the end of last week, but she has not received word of a completed vote. "The DFA leadership have been delaying efforts to resolve this matter before the fall term starts," reads an update on the university's website. "The impasse is significant enough that a labour disruption has become inevitable," the update says. "If so, it is better for the university for it to happen now, in August, instead of commencing after fall term classes begin, when the consequences for students would be much more severe."
CBC
12-08-2025
- Business
- CBC
Uncertainty remains as Dalhousie, union fail to reach contract agreement
Uncertainty remains about the start of the school year at Dalhousie University as the board of governors and the Dalhousie Faculty Association failed to reach a contract agreement during negotiation and conciliation efforts. The collective agreement for nearly 1,000 professors, instructors, librarians and professional counsellors at Nova Scotia's largest university expired on June 30. A last-ditch conciliation meeting was held Monday, but failed to see a resolution. The union will now bring the university's final offer to its membership for a vote. That vote will end on Aug. 21 at the earliest, though the deadline could be extended in order to give members more time to cast a ballot, said Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) president David Westwood. Either side must give 48 hours of notice before a strike or lockout begins. Westwood told CBC News in an email Tuesday that the DFA was assured a lockout would not occur this week, and the union says it will not call a strike in August. Classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 2. Compensation key sticking point The two sides have reached an impasse over several key issues — most notably, compensation. The board has offered two per cent increases each year for three years, while the most recent union proposal has requested a seven per cent increase in the first year of the agreement and four per cent increases in each of the following two years. "The final offer is far below what we find acceptable in many ways, not just the fact that the cost of living adjustment is far below recent settlements in our sector," Westwood said in the statement. In an open letter to the DFA published Monday, university president Kim Brooks said the final offer "tries to balance fair compensation for faculty with our responsibility to ensure Dalhousie's long-term financial health." The statement says while the board's proposed wage increases are in line with current inflation rates, the university acknowledges they do not reflect the higher inflation rates of previous years. "We truly wish we could offer more," reads the letter. "Our priority with this offer is to protect core academic activity and minimize further significant layoffs in the years ahead. This is the most we can responsibly commit to at this time." The university recently passed an operating budget with a $20-million deficit for the coming year and has already told all faculties and units to reduce their budgets by one per cent and absorb any compensation increases. Proposed teaching rule change withdrawn Job security was another issue of concern to the faculty association, but the board withdrew a proposal that the union had objected to. The board wanted to change a clause that governs what percentage of teaching work must be done by DFA members rather than by sessional workers or administrators. Sessional workers are paid less and do not have the job security that DFA members have. Under the collective agreement that just expired, 90 per cent of teaching work must be done by DFA members, but the board wanted to reduce that to as low as 80 per cent. That proposal is no longer on the table. "We continue to believe Dalhousie must reimagine academic staffing models to meet changing needs, but it is in our collective best interests to face our current challenges together," reads the letter from Brooks. Last month, 85 per cent of eligible DFA members participated in a strike vote, with 91 per cent of those who cast a ballot voting in favour of a strike if an agreement is not reached. MORE TOP STORIES
CTV News
11-08-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘Wish we could offer more': Dalhousie University gives union final pitch as possible labour disruption looms
Dalhousie University is seen in Halifax on May 28, 2020. Dalhousie University board of governors has given its union of more than 1,000 members its final offering in the collective bargaining negotiations as possible class interruptions loom. The Dalhousie Faculty Association was scheduled to meet with the board of governors on Monday following a 14-day countdown triggered by a 'no board report' in mid-July, which indicates a bargaining impasse. The Association's previous three-year contract expired at the end of June and negotiations for a new one started in May. A conciliation officer joined the process in the summer. In an open letter, Dalhousie president Kim Brooks outlined the final offer to the union, which includes wage increases of two per cent per year for three years. David Westwood, president of the Association, previously told CTV News Atlantic they are seeking wage increases of seven per cent in the first year and four per cent in the second and third years for a total of 15 per cent. 'While the proposed IMC increases are in line with current inflation rates, we acknowledge that this offer does not reflect the higher inflation rates of previous years,' Brooks said. 'We know many faculty (and staff) face financial pressures. We also know the challenges faculty members have weathered in recent years, including adapting to a pandemic, supporting students experiencing increased mental health challenges, and navigating geopolitical tensions. 'We truly wish we could offer more. Our priority with this offer is to protect core academic activity and minimize further significant layoffs in the years ahead. This is the most we can responsibly commit to at this time.' Earlier this year, Dalhousie released its operating budget and announced a $20.6 million deficit along with cuts to all faculties and tuition increases for some international students. Brooks said Dalhousie has withdrawn its proposal on the '90-10' rule, which requires that 90 per cent of all teaching at Dalhousie be done by Association members. 'We hope faculty will recognize the effort to find common ground, including the withdrawal of 90/10 proposal — a decision made in the spirit of partnership and longer-term collaboration,' Brooks said. 'In the full context of the university's financial realities and future responsibilities, we believe this offer represents a serious and principled path forward.' Janet Bryson, director of strategic communications and media relations with Dalhousie, previously told CTV News Atlantic that a strike or a lockout could be possible if an agreement is not reached. Westwood previously said the union has been clear in its desire to not call a strike in August. 'An August lockout would disrupt a lot of teaching,' he said. 'It's also a top month when graduate students are defending their theses. All those defences would be terminated if there's a lockout. Our members would be unable to do the preparations to get ready for September.' -With files from CTV News Atlantic's Jesse Huot For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
07-08-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Dalhousie University, union say labour disruption possible as negotiations continue
The Dalhousie Faculty Association is continuing its negotiations with the board of governors next week following a two-week break as its president says university classes could be interrupted if a deal isn't reached. The union will meet with the board on Monday following a 14-day countdown triggered by the conciliation officer filing a 'no board report' in mid-July, which indicates a bargaining impasse. Janet Bryson, director of strategic communications and media relations with Dalhousie University, said if an agreement is not reached, a labour disruption – be it a strike or lockout – could be possible as early as next week. 'The university remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table,' Bryson said in an email. 'In the event of a disruption, Dalhousie will communicate promptly and widely with all faculty, staff, and students through this site, email, and other established channels.' David Westwood, president of the Association, said the board of governors walked away from the negotiation table early in the process, accusing them of being 'extremely aggressive' during bargaining. 'It was not our intention to be at an impasse this early,' he said. 'We've been very clear that we will not call a strike in August. That would be hugely devastating to students and members. 'We don't want a work stoppage.' Last month, a majority of Association members voted in favour of going on strike if they can't reach an acceptable deal. Westwood said a lockout would impact more than 1,000 members who work as full-time professors, librarians, counsellors and instructors across all Dalhousie campuses. 'An August lockout would disrupt a lot of teaching,' he said. 'It's also a top month when graduate students are defending their theses. All those defences would be terminated if there's a lockout. Our members would be unable to do the preparations to get ready for September.' According to the Dalhousie website, in the event of a strike or lockout, campus would stay open and classes taught by Association faculty members would be suspended. Westwood said the '90-10' clause requires that 90 per cent of all teaching at Dalhousie be done by Association members. Westwood said the possible lockout would be the first of its kind for a U15 Canada university. It is an association of the 15 leading research universities in the country. Negotiations The Association's previous three-year contract expired at the end of June. Negotiations began in May and a conciliation officer joined the process in June. Westwood said one of the Association's key requests is to bring wages in line with the cost of living. They have proposed a wage increase of seven per cent in the first year and four per cent in the second and third years for a total of 15 per cent. The Association says Dalhousie has offered a total increase of six per cent over three years. 'Throughout the negotiation process, the Board has made significant efforts to respond to the concerns raised by the DFA—particularly in the area of compensation,' Bryson said. In a statement released late last month, the university cited 'significant financial challenges' in meeting the Association's wage increase request. 'The financial gap between these two proposals is vast,' the statement reads. 'Given the scope of the budget challenge we are facing, the DFA proposal is more than Dalhousie can afford. 'There are limits to what we can offer in our current financial situation without threatening critical programs, services, and supports.' Westwood said the Association is also focused on improving access to child care through their employer and helping faculty members who have joined in the post-COVID-19 era. 'They've been on the receiving end of inflation,' Westwood said. Westwood said the Association is hoping to 'get a deal done' with the board of governors at the Monday meeting. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
