Full-time positions, pay equity, campus childcare, all on union's wish list
Faculty at Acadia University have given their union, the Acadia University Faculty Association (AUFA), a strong strike mandate as 81.1 per cent of voters authorized a strike mandate at the Wolfville, N.S., institution.
“This vote should send a clear message to the board of governors at Acadia University,” said Stephen Ahern, AUFA president. “Our members are determined to get a fair and equitable agreement.”
Several substantial issues remain on the table including restoring full-time faculty positions, addressing pay equity, achieving salaries in line with regional averages and gaining a commitment to fundraise for a campus childcare centre, according to AUFA.
The board has rejected faculty proposals and is asking for significant concessions, including increasing class sizes for part-time faculty while clawing back their compensation, said the union.
Bargaining began in March 2017 and proceeded well until the end of June, when the board didn’t make counter-proposals to a faculty offer, said AUFA.
The union asked for the assistance of a provincial conciliator in early September. Conciliation — scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17 — stalled on the first day when the employer refused to make meaningful changes to its position from June, according to the union.
The Acadia University Faculty Association is the certified bargaining agent for 331 full-time and part-time professors, librarians, archivists and instructors.
