Updates

The memo below was sent to all Dalhousie faculty, staff and students.

To:         The Dalhousie University community

From:       Laura Neals and Chris Hattie, Co-Assistant Vice-Presidents, Human Resources (Acting)

Date:        Monday, October 17, 2022

Re:         Update on potential CUPE strike action

CUPE Local 3912, which represents part-time academics at Dalhousie along with TAs, markers and demonstrators, has filed notice of its members’ intention to strike on Wednesday, October 19 if an agreement is not reached at the bargaining table.

Here is what you need to know:

1.       Strike notice does not mean a strike is certain — if negotiations are successful, a strike will not happen. A strike vote is a normal part of the collective bargaining process demonstrating a union’s willingness to strike if a deal is not achieved at the bargaining table.

2.       Dalhousie University and CUPE are continuing to negotiate this week, and we remain hopeful a strike can be prevented. Bargaining sessions are set to take place Monday and Tuesday and Dalhousie continues to be optimistic that a tentative agreement can be reached that would prevent a strike.

3.       If a strike does occur, most university classes would continue. Only courses directly taught by CUPE members would be suspended. Courses supported by CUPE members in other roles will continue, although there may be impacts on course delivery and assessment in certain Faculties and programs.

4.       Students can expect to receive more information from their Faculty, program or instructors in the coming days, if they haven’t already, on how a CUPE strike would affect individual courses and programs. Please direct specific questions about this to your Faculty or department.

5.       All other employees (staff and faculty) would be required to come to work as usual in the event of a CUPE strike.

For the latest updates and information (including FAQs), please visit this website. In the event a strike does occur on Wednesday, we will update our Dal community and the Labour Relations website will become the primary resource for all information on university strike procedures and contingencies.

CUPE employees play a vital role in the academic life of Dalhousie University, and we remain hopeful a mutually agreeable resolution can be reached at the bargaining table this week.