Dalhousie University offers arbitration to union to end week-long lockout

Dalhousie University is offering its union arbitration to end the week-long lockout.

Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors is offering the faculty’s union a chance to engage in interest arbitration that could end a week-long lockout as the fall semester looms.

On Aug. 20, the university locked out more than 1,000 members of the Dalhousie Faculty Association following months of negotiations over a new collective agreement. The previous three-year deal expired at the end of June.

Earlier this month, Dalhousie president Kim Brooks issued a final offer to the union – which represents fulltime professors, instructors, librarians and counsellors – of a two per cent wage increase per year for three years.

David Westwood, president of the Association, previously told CTV News Atlantic the Association wants a seven per cent wage increase in the first year, followed by four per cent increases in the second and third years.

Brooks said the university would lock out of the union members if a deal was not reached by Aug. 20.

In a statement on Wednesday, Grace Jefferies, vice president of people and culture, said the bargaining team representing the Board of Governors has offered an invitation to interest arbitration to the Association that, if accepted, would end the lockout.

“Interest arbitration would end the current labour disruption, allow both parties a fair and impartial hearing over compensation issues, and ensure the fall academic term could begin on schedule,” the statement reads. “Faculty members would also regain access to their work email, office spaces, and campus buildings.”

The university says if the Association does not agree to the interest arbitration, the lockout will continue. The union is scheduled to have a rally outside the Killam Library at noon on Friday.

The Dalhousie fall semester is set to start on Sept. 2.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page