Dalhousie University and Union Resume Conciliation Talks Amid Lockout

Conciliation talks between Dalhousie University and the union representing nearly 1,000 faculty members will continue on Tuesday, as a lockout approaches its three-week mark. The university locked out the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) on August 20, 2023, following protracted negotiations over a new collective agreement that has yet to be reached. The previous contract expired on June 30, 2023, leading to increased tensions between the two parties.

Both sides resumed discussions on Monday with the assistance of a provincially-appointed conciliator. In a joint statement, they confirmed they would return to the bargaining table at 1 p.m. on Tuesday as directed by the conciliator. Tensions have escalated, with the DFA alleging that the university’s board of governors was not negotiating in good faith.

In a previous statement, union president Dave Westwood described the board’s bargaining tactics as “unprofessional and unpredictable.” He expressed concerns that these approaches were undermining the collective bargaining process and creating division. “The DFA Bargaining Team met again on Thursday afternoon and agreed that the only way to conclude a new collective agreement is at the bargaining table under the supervision of a conciliation officer,” Westwood stated.

The union has raised significant issues during the negotiations, including a demand for a 14.25 percent wage increase over three years. In contrast, Dalhousie University has indicated that its final offer includes a 6 percent increase over the same period. Additionally, the DFA is advocating for expanded parental leave benefits and improved access to childcare services.

The ongoing lockout has disrupted many classes at Dalhousie University, which began its fall semester on September 2, 2023. In a further escalation, last month, the DFA lodged a complaint with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, alleging that the university had been using public communications to negotiate directly with faculty members, circumventing formal bargaining processes.

As the deadline for a new agreement looms, both the university and the union remain under pressure to resolve their disputes and return to normalcy for the faculty and students alike. The outcome of the talks will be critical not only for the parties involved but also for the broader academic community affected by the ongoing situation.