Dalhousie requests more talks with the DFA

Updated February 17, 6:18 p.m. with strike vote result

After a third day of conciliation that lasted more than 13 hours, talks broke off yesterday between the university's negotiating team and the Dalhousie Faculty Association without an agreement.

The Board negotiating team has written to the DFA requesting additional dates to continue collective bargaining, and the conciliator has confirmed he will make himself available if both sides agree.

“We believe significant progress has been made and the expectation is that both parties want an agreement,” said Katherine Sheehan, assistant vice-president, Human Resources. “Getting additional dates scheduled and getting everyone back to the table is a priority for the university.”

The DSU released a statement earlier in the day, urging both sides to continue talks.

"Regardless of the outcome of the vote for a strike mandate, the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) strongly encourages the Board and DFA to continue discussing an agreement that is fair for both parties," wrote DSU President Chris Saulnier. "The students of Dalhousie University expect the Board and DFA to spend more time at the bargaining table, discussing the substantive issues of pension and compensation, before resorting to using the hardship caused to students by a lockout or strike as a negotiating tool."

Strike vote successful, but strike action not imminent

On Friday afternoon, the DFA announced that its members had agreed to a strike mandate, with 83 per cent of the votes cast in favour of a potential strike action.

"I am pleased that the membership gave the executive such a strong strike vote," said DFA President Anthony Stewart in a release. "This should send a message to the Dalhousie Board about the strength of our resolve to get a fair deal."

Even with the result, however, a strike at Dal is not imminent: there is still a two-week “cooling off” period, starting once the conciliator files his report (which has not happened yet), during which time no strike action can take place.

An update on the university's negotiations website explains the progress that was made Wednesday, including resolution of non-monetary issues. The Board's negotiating team tabled its opening proposal on monetary and pension plan changes shortly before lunch. It was followed by the DFA tabling its first and final offer on a Jointly Sponsored Pension Plan (JSPP) at 4 p.m. The DFA walked away from the table at 9:30 p.m. after only five hours were spent on the issue.

“The important conversation on monetary items and pensions just got started,” added Ms. Sheehan. “We need more than one day of discussion on this important topic and need to get back to the table to negotiate an agreement. We are committed to continue talking and will continue to reach out to the DFA.”

Disagreement on offer

The negotiations website update also contains basic information about the opening offer presented at the table, which, according to President Tom Traves' memo, addresses some of the major concerns brought up by faculty about moving to a jointly-sponsored pension plan.

The Board's opening proposal, with regards to pensions, promises to cover any increased pension contributions with a corresponding salary increase for all faculty members; ensures that employees will not pay the cost of any legacy pension deficits; and contains a decision-making structure such that all major decisions require unanimous agreement of the Board and all employee groups – in other words, the unviersity Board will have no independent decision-making power.

In its release, the DFA disagreed with the Board team's assessment of the progress made, saying that it considered conciliation "a failure" because of the gap between the two sides, particularly around the pension issue - the release claimed that the proposal would provide less protection for its members.

The pension plan has been the major issue in the negotiations thus far. The university has been discussing a move to a jointly sponsored governance model, both to make the plan more sustainable and to earn relief from the government to prevent dramatic solvency repayments. The current solvency deficit would require annual payments of $50 million starting in 2013, the impact of which on the university budget would be dramatic.

Commitment to completing the term

In an email to students, Dr. Traves reaffirmed the Dalhousie's commitment to doing everything possible to complete the academic term.

"We know these ongoing discussions cause anxiety for students and parents," he wrote. "We also know how important it is for students to complete their academic term; Dalhousie shares that priority.

"The best way for us to achieve that is for both the university and the DFA to return to the bargaining table and continue the important progress that was made yesterday. No matter what the scenario, though, the university will do everything it can to ensure the term is completed."

Dal.ca/negotiations will continue to be updated with information for students, employees and the entire university community as it becomes available.

Editor's note: The first published version of this story used the term "the university" too widely in describing the process at the table. We've edited it to better reflect the process. Thanks to everyone in the comments for their feedback.