(October 17, 2016. Sackville, NB) Members of the Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA) voted in favour of a motion supporting their negotiating team and strike action if necessary in a straw strike vote conducted this past week.
Members voted 87% in favour of the motion that they support the work of the MAFA negotiating team and, if necessary, are willing to take job action in support of MAFA’s bargaining positions. One hundred and twenty-five members participated in the vote.
Stephen Law, MAFA’s Chief Negotiator in the contract talks, said: “This is a clear result. Our members are calling for improvements in our collective agreements to protect quality and ensure fairness at the University.”
MAFA President Andrew Irwin said “I am really gratified that the members voted so strongly. This is a wake-up call for President Robert Campbell and the Board of Regents to address the underfunding of the academic mission at Mount Allison. A fair and timely settlement will help us ensure a high-quality academic environment now and into the future.”
Full-time and part-time faculty and librarian have been working without a contract since July 1, 2016. Central issues under negotiation include faculty complement, adequate replacement for leaves and sabbaticals, and equitable compensation. The union and employer teams have met over thirty times, including numerous times with a provincially-appointed Conciliation officer. MAFA represents 152 full time and 46 part time faculty and librarians.