Media Release · For Immediate Release · January 31, 2020
(Sackville, NB) — The majority of 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.
Those who cast ballots were 93% 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 extremely pleased with this level of support from our part-time members. In the event of a strike, they will join the Full-time unit which has already voted in favour of job action. We hope that this show of resolve will provide additional incentive for the Employer to negotiate with MAFA to address the concerns of our part-time members.” The MAFA negotiating team is ready to continue meeting with the Employer over the weekend. MAFA has served notice of part-time job action effective at 12:01 on Monday February 3, 2020 in the event that a deal is not reached at the table.
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]