Strike begins at MSVU after weekend talks fail

CITYnews halifax /By Dan Ahlstrand

Picket lines are scheduled to go up at Mount St. Vincent University at noon today.

In a social media post, MSVU VP of Administration Isabelle Nault said Monday morning that talks between a conciliator, the Faculty Association, and the university’s Board of Governors did not result in an agreement on a new contract.

“The MSVU Faculty Association has chosen to go on strike starting Monday, February 12th at noon,” said Nault. “The impact of this situation on MSVU students is our primary concern. We’ll do all we can to support our students throughout this time and minimize the effect on students’ academic experience. We will aim to ensure that students have sufficient class time to meet learning outcomes and to maintain the quality learning experience that is expected at MSVU.”

The university says:

• Campus remains open (including Residence and all other campus buildings).
• Classes taught by full-time faculty, librarians and lab instructors will NOT run during the strike. A list of affected courses is available here. Please check your course section, as certain sections of the same course may be cancelled while others will go ahead.
• Classes taught by part-time faculty will continue (except for a small number of labs – please check the list linked above).
• All other university services continue. The library remains open (though some services will be impacted). The health office, fitness centre and child study centre also remain open.
• Co-op placements and practica continue as usual.

MSVUFA says some of the negotiations’ stumbling blocks include compensation, diversity, and inclusion issues.

MSVUFA, represents nearly 160 full-time faculty, librarian, and lab instructor employees, held a strike vote in December. 97% of its members voted in favour of a strike.