Hundreds of courses at two universities in Halifax have been halted as part-time faculty members staged a walkout due to contract negotiation difficulties. The union representing these faculty cited concerns over pay and job security as the primary issues. Mount Saint Vincent University’s part-time academic staff initiated the strike on Wednesday, followed by Saint Mary’s University staff on Thursday, as both groups have been operating without a contract since the previous year.
Lauren McKenzie, the president of the local union representing part-time faculty, expressed dissatisfaction with current pay rates, stating that many members struggle to make ends meet and balance their financial responsibilities. This financial strain leaves little time for academic pursuits, making full-time tenured positions unattainable for many faculty members.
Mount Saint Vincent University reported the suspension of 337 classes taught by part-time faculty, while Saint Mary’s University indicated a pause in approximately 300 classes. Despite Nova Scotia universities having some of the highest tuition fees in the country, financial challenges loom due to decreasing international student enrollment, tuition limitations, and limited provincial funding increments.
Karen White, the associate vice-president of university relations at Mount Saint Vincent, highlighted compensation as the core dispute, mentioning a projected $1.59 million deficit for the university this year. She emphasized the need to engage in further negotiations to address these issues and enable students to resume their studies.
The recent strikes at these institutions follow a lockout of around 1,000 professors and teaching staff at Dalhousie University in late August, which disrupted the start of classes. Approximately 475 part-time faculty members are currently under contract at Mount Saint Vincent and Saint Mary’s, with varying teaching commitments per faculty member.
Part-time faculty members at these universities receive a starting stipend of around $6,200 per semester at Mount Saint Vincent and $6,100 at Saint Mary’s, which includes teaching responsibilities. The union seeks an increase to align with comparable institutions, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and job security for its members.
Both universities have expressed a commitment to reaching a fair agreement, with a focus on student success and maintaining teaching quality. Discussions on compensation and job stability remain ongoing between the unions and the universities.