Wayne Desmond: “The idea of Black spaces and the need for inclusive education have always been important to me. Why is it that it wasn’t until I went to university that I began to feel fully validated as a Black learner?”
The Dalhousie Board of Governors (The Board) and the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) have been in discussion and recognize that…
There will be no strike or lockout at Dalhousie this Fall semester. Earlier this afternoon the Board agreed to a proposal by the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) to refer the outstanding bargaining issues to a conciliation board who could recommend possible resolutions
A new study seeks to interview migrant workers in the Maritimes about their experiences working in the agri-food sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 2,000 migrant workers come to Nova Scotia each year to plant, harvest, and process agricultural crops and seafood products.
Françoise Baylis on the looming strike at Dalhousie: “People feel completely disrespected. Because of the pandemic people are working harder than they probably ever have, for the benefit of the students and for the benefit of the institution. We’re doing so much with so little, and this is how they treat us. They tell us how grateful they are, yet this is how they show their gratitude.”
Media release: More than 95% of the members of the Dalhousie Faculty Association have voted to reject the offer made by the Dalhousie Board of Governors during conciliation last week.
“When our faculty lack the support needed to maintain a reasonable work-life balance and implement effective virtual learning, our Board and Executive team have a fiduciary responsibility to step up and support them. Instead, the Board is largely ignoring our faculty and trying to mess with their benefits, just like they ignore students and increase their tuition year-after-year,” writes Noel Guscott, a student at the university.
Conciliator-led talks between the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) and the university’s Board of Governors have failed, which means that in roughly two weeks time faculty members could be walking the picket line. We talk with DFA president David Westwood to understand the issues.
Conciliation between the Dalhousie Faculty Association and the Board of Governors has failed. “While today was the first of two days scheduled for conciliation, we reached an impasse this morning,” says DFA President David Westwood. “The Board presented their best offer, and they have not moved on a few critical issues related to our pension that are unacceptable to our members. At a time when the university needs everyone working together, the Board is choosing to push our members to the brink.”
An overwhelming majority of members of the Dalhousie Faculty Association are willing to go on strike if the university’s Board of Governors doesn’t compromise on its current bargaining stance. “We’re still not sure why this is the year they’ve chosen to try to force through these changes, other than that they don’t believe we have the strength to fight back because of Covid fears. To try to take advantage of the pandemic in such a way is just terrible,” says David Westwood, president of the faculty association.