On September 29, 2022, the administration of Dalhousie refused to schedule further dates for negotiations, stating that their current offer is their last one. Upon hearing that we are ready to strike, they offered two new dates which the Negotiating Committee is willing to attend in order to get us the best possible deal.
As of now, the Employer has offered us no non-financial considerations and continues to offer raises that do not even come close to covering the cost of inflation. There has been no meaningful increase in their offers since June 2022. We therefore believe their future offers, without a strike, are likely to stay the same.
Because of this likelihood, we are ready and willing to strike as of October 19, 2022.
What is the Employer offering?
Part-Time Instructors:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| +1.25% | +1.25% | +3% | +2% |
| +0 | +0 | +$350 (adjustment) | +0 |
Nursing:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| +1.25% | $45 (reset) | +3% | +2% |
DH, PT/OT, and FSPA:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| +1.25% | +1.25% | +3% | +2% |
Pharmacy:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| N/A | N/A | $50 (new) | +2% |
Teaching Assistants:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| +1.25% | +1.25% | +3.5% | +2% |
Markers/Demonstrators:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| +1.25% | +1.25% | +8% | +2% |
What does this mean?
Put into simpler terms, the Employer offered:
- Part-time Instructors 11.11%, 10.68%, or 10.51% depending on their tier.
- Nursing, DH, Pt/OT, FSPA and Pharmacy 7.7% (after wage reset)
- Teaching Assistants 8.23%.
- Markers and Demonstrators 12.93%.
While this is an improvement from the offer previously rejected by the membership, it does represent a 5-12% decrease in buying power by August 2024.
No offer will cover the cost of living in Halifax.
Between September 2019 (our last raise) and August 2024, cumulative inflation is predicted to be 19-23% in Nova Scotia, but the Employer refuses to take that into consideration when making their offers. The President of Dalhousie, however, was given a 13% raise in 2021 to cover the rise in cost of living.
We are fighting for the same consideration, but the Employer has made it clear that it will not happen without a strike.
How will a strike work?
If we go on strike, all duties covered by your CUPE 3912 contract will stop. This means lectures, tutorials, meeting with students, and marking will not be done during the duration of the strike. Dalhousie will not pay you until the strike ends and work is resumed. The process of returning to work will be included in final negotiations and shared with the membership accordingly.
During the strike, we will be picketing at predetermined locations to be released the day of the strike. Each picket line, made up of members and supporters, will be led by a trained Picket Captain who will handle coordination, media interactions, and medical emergencies. To volunteer as a Picket Captain and receive free First Aid training, fill out this form. We encourage people who want to help without the responsibility of being a Picket Captain to join us on the picket line.
Strike duties, such as picketing, are paid by CUPE 3912. Members can volunteer up to 20 hours a week, earning up to $1,200/month tax free. To receive strike pay, you must sign this form and drop it off with a CUPE 3912 representative or at the Dalhousie Student Union Building Information Desk. If this is not completed before the strike, your strike pay could be delayed a week while the form is processed.
The Employer can, and likely will, lock CUPE 3912 members out of all Dalhousie systems whether you are participating or not. A lockout means you will lose access to your Dalhousie email. To ensure we can still contact you and provide updates, please provide a non-Dalhousie email we can use.
Can striking affect employment or student status?
Dalhouse cannot punish you for participating in or supporting the strike. There are legal protections in place to ensure that no employee is fired or refused work due to supporting a union or strike (see Strike FAQ). If you suspect you are being targeted for union involvement, please file a grievance with CUPE 3912. Punishment for union activity is illegal whether you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or international student.
As a student, your status will not change regardless of whether or not you actively participate. Anything linked to your student status, such as visas or loans, will not be affected. You cannot be academically penalized for participating in the strike or refusing to cross the picket line. Your supervisor cannot force you to work during the strike nor can they promise you will be paid.