Nipissing University has reached a tentative agreement with its union representing part-time faculty, averting a potential strike that was set to begin as early as next week. The agreement between the university and the Contract Academic Staff Bargaining Unit was announced late Friday evening. The breakthrough follows a period of heightened tension after the union took a formal step toward job action. Deadline loomed after ‘no-board’ report The union had previously requested a “no-board” report from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development after three unsuccessful sessions with a conciliator. That move placed the parties in a legal strike or lockout position as of Monday. Both sides were engaged in mediation throughout Friday, with no immediate update provided during the day. Classes to continue without disruption The university confirmed the tentative deal in a social media post shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 30. “As a result, a strike has been averted and all classes will continue as scheduled on Monday with no disruption,” the school wrote. The agreement means students will face no interruption to their studies. The university said an official email with further details would be sent to students, staff, and faculty. The deal at Nipissing comes as faculty at another northern Ontario post-secondary institution, Laurentian University in Sudbury, remain on strike. Details of the tentative agreement have not been publicly released and the agreement is subject to ratification by the union’s membership and the university’s board of governors.
