Part-time faculty at Saint Mary’s University ready for last day of conciliation talks A dose of the measles, flies on a flagpole in Ottawa on June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld By The Canadian Press Posted Sep 21, 2025 04:57:14 PM. Last Updated Sep 21, 2025 05:01:23 PM. HALIFAX — Part-time faculty at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax are preparing for their final day of conciliation talks with the university Monday. After nearly a year at the bargaining table, the CUPE union, which represents roughly 150 workers, says they’ve hit a dead end. In a recent vote, 87 per cent of workers voted to strike if necessary. A key issue for the union is job security. They are asking for guaranteed work for part-time instructors who have taught for at least three consecutive years. CUPE 3912 also represents part-time instructors at Dalhousie and Mount Saint Vincent Universities, which are both in the midst of negotiating their own contracts. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2025. The Canadian Press