Dalhousie University students vote to join strike

Students at Dalhousie University will be on strike for one week starting Sunday, according to the student union.

Students at Dalhousie University in Halifax will be on strike for one week starting Sunday, according to the student union.

On Thursday, students voted to join the Nova Scotia student strike during a special general meeting (SGM) held by the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU). The motion to strike passed with 64 per cent in favour, said the post.

“The motion to join the provincial student strike has passed with 145 in favour of the motion and 81 opposed,” said DSU president Maren Mealey.

The DSU executive team said they will present an academic amnesty motion on Monday in hopes of giving students some academic protection.

“When students organize we shift the conversation,” said Mealey. “The decision wasn’t an easy one, and it isn’t just symbolic. What students decided yesterday is a direct expression of what we are willing to stand up for.”

DSU received a petition on Feb. 12 signed by more than one per cent quorum of students calling for the SGM to discuss the strike.

Student strikes are coordinated pauses in regular academic schedules to bring attention to student concerns. Organizers called for students to abstain from attending classes, tutorials, labs and from submitting work.

Activities, including picketing, are scheduled for the week to bring visibility to student demands, including affordable tuition and divestment, said the union.

Student strike participation is voluntary. The DSU is not a labour union and cannot enforce mandates, said the post.

“Any strike action includes risks, and for students, academic implications,” said the post. The DSU said students should contact instructors to ensure flexibility while they present their motion for limited academic amnesty.”

Scheduled events highlighted at the SGM include:

• March 15 – “All Out” March at 12:00 at the old Halifax Library
• March 16 – picketing on campuses begins.
• March 17 – big teach-in day
• March 18 – main day of action and demonstrations
• March 20 – National Day of Action for Higher Education Advocacy in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario

The Canadian Federation of Students – Nova Scotia announced the strike on March 6 in response budget cuts from the Houston government.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Lamb

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page