Academic workers at MSVU strike today

Halifax, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over 150 academic workers at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) will be walking off the job today at 12 PM Atlantic Time, following an impasse in negotiations Tuesday evening.

These workers are part-time instructors at MSVU and members of CUPE 3912. On the table are changes to the job evaluation process which would improve job security, and improvements to wages.

“Like many workers in this sector—and across the province—our members at The Mount are struggling to make ends meet,” said Lauren McKenzie, CUPE 3912 President. “They are responsible for educating the next generation, for being experts in history, economics, chemistry, you name it, but they can’t even put food on the table. Is that fair?”

These workers do not have any health benefits or a pension, and unfortunately, the employer is not even willing to begin discussing these items unless workers accept their offer on wages.

CUPE 3912 represents part-time faculty, teaching assistants, and independent course appointees at Mount Saint Vincent University, Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD).

At every bargaining table, CUPE 3912 members are challenging precarious contracts and poverty wages, fighting to ensure students have the experienced instructors that universities get to boast about in their prospectuses.

“We are proud to be fighting for academic workers, for students, and for world-class postsecondary education in Nova Scotia,” said McKenzie. “Our local is thousands strong and we are united, ready to support workers at The Mount as they fight for a fair deal.”

A tentative agreement was reached with Dalhousie University on Monday, October 20. Details of the tentative agreement will not be shared until members have had the opportunity to review and ratify the terms which will take place as soon as possible.

CUPE 3912 is in negotiations with Saint Mary’s University today, October 22.

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