Striking faculty at two Halifax universities condemn request for binding arbitration

Striking part-time faculty at Saint Mary’s University and Mount Saint Vincent University are denouncing a request for binding arbitration.

Striking part-time faculty from Saint Mary’s University (SMU) and Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) are denouncing requests for binding arbitration from their employers.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3912 received the request from both employers on Friday afternoon, the union representing part-time faculty members at SMU and MSVU said.

“We have communicated our willingness to return to the table from day one of both strikes,” said Lauren McKenzie, CUPE 3912 president. “We have responded to every request and communication from the employer and conciliator. These emails were both sent within 15 minutes of each other. It seems like our employers are talking to each other, but they won’t talk to us.”

The part-time staff are striking due to compensation and job security. Part-time staff currently have separate, term-length contracts for each class they teach.

The union says part-time faculty at SMU and MSVU are among the lowest paid across Canada.

“Can you imagine working for years without ever knowing you have a job beyond the next few months? While barely earning enough to buy groceries and pay rent?” asks McKenzie. “What we’re asking for is fair. What’s not fair is an attempt to skip over the collective negotiations process, while spreading misinformation to our students and supporters about what is prolonging this strike.”

CUPE 3912 issued an open letter to students at both universities on Friday, explaining workers want to return to the table and the classroom.

“The conditions we work under directly affect your learning. When instructors are fairly paid and respected, we can focus all our energy on teaching and supporting you,” the letter reads.

The letter says part-time faculty at SMU and MSVU are teaching over 600 courses this term. These classes have been suspended due to the strike, but all university services remain open.

Part-time faculty at MSVU have been on strike since Oct. 22 while SMU’s part-time faculty have been on strike since Oct. 23.

On Monday, SMU announced its senate would convene a special meeting to discuss the disruption to the term.

“We understand the impact the part-time faculty strike is having on our students and community at large,” the university said. “We are increasingly hearing from Saint Mary’s University members that they want more transparency about negotiations and what we are doing to end the strike.”

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Sean Mott

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