Academic workers at Saint Mary’s University, SMU, and Mount Saint Vincent University, MSVU, are back to work this week, after more than three weeks on strike. Represented by CUPE 3912, part-time faculty at both universities voted to ratify tentative agreements reached last week.
“We’re proud of what workers achieved in bargaining, and through job action. But our members are also glad to be back at work this week—and back in the classroom where they want to be,” said Lauren McKenzie, president of CUPE 3912.
Workers achieved key gains addressing workers’ priority issues, job security and compensation. Prior to this deal, part-time faculty at MSVU and SMU were among the lowest paid across Canada. Workers also won improvements to contract timelines and evaluations processes.
“This is why workers take job action. We made gains that were not on the table a few weeks ago and this new deal is going to make a huge difference in the daily lives of our members,” continued McKenzie.
Part-time faculty at MSVU and SMU started job action on October 22 and October 23, respectively, and returned to work on Monday, November 17. At SMU, the tentative agreement was reached on November 12. At MSVU, the tentative agreement was reached close to midnight last Thursday night, after over 12 hours in negotiations.
CUPE 3912 represents over 5,000 academic workers, including part-time faculty, teaching assistants, and independent course appointees at MSVU, SMU, Dalhousie, and NSCAD.
Academic workers at Dalhousie University ratified their tentative agreement on October 30. CUPE 3912 reached a tentative agreement with Dalhousie University on October 20. Negotiations at NSCAD are ongoing.