Media Release · For Immediate Release · January 24, 2020
(Sackville, NB) — The majority of full-time and part-time members of the Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA) have voted in favour of strike action “if necessary” in response to a lack of progress in collective bargaining.
Turn out for the vote was strong with 91% of eligible MAFA members casting ballots. Full-time Members who cast ballots voted 74% in favour while part-time members who voted were 94% in favour of the motion. The vote was conducted under the rules established by the NB Industrial Relations Act.
Matt Litvak, MAFA President, said, “We are pleased with this level of support from our members. Today [Friday] we are meeting with the Employer team and we hope that this show of resolve will demonstrate to the Employer our members’ commitment to our concerns. This will only be settled at the bargaining table and we remain ready to negotiate.”
The main issues under negotiation in this round include resources to support the academic mission of the university, faculty and librarian staffing, workload, equity and human rights – including non-discriminatory workplace accommodation for persons with disabilities – and compensation and benefits for full-time and part-time members.
Full-time and part-time faculty and librarians have been working without a contract since July 1, 2019. Negotiations began in June; conciliation began in August with a provincially appointed Conciliation Officer and concluded in November. The two sides have been talking since December with the assistance of a provincially appointed mediator. MAFA represents approximately 150 full time and 60 part time faculty and librarians.
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For more information contact:
- Dr. Matthew Litvak, President
- (506) 364–2289 (office)
- [email protected]