News

Fair Employment Week – October 21 to 25, 2024

You are invited to participate in the following activities taking place during Fair Employment Week:

  • Social media campaign organized by CUPE 3912 together with the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers (ANSUT) and Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) highlighting on X, Instagram and Facebook the contributions made by our part-time faculty/ICA members, will run from October 21 to 25.

  • An online panel on Decent Work Across Borders organized by CAUT. Hear about wins for contract academic staff in Canada, the US and the UK. Monday October 21, 2024 from 12 to 1:30 PM Atlantic Time.

  • Inaugural online meeting of a grass-roots organization of per-course instructors from all post-secondary academic institutions in Atlantic Canada CAFAC (Contract Academic Faculty of Atlantic Canada) hosted by Karen Harper (CAUT CAS Committee member.) October 22, 2024 at 5 PM.

  • Celebrating CUPE 3912 members’ accomplishments organized by Samantha Williams (VP SMU TAs), Erica Fischer (VP SMU PT Faculty), Karen Harper (CAUT CAS Committee member), and Rine Vieth (SMU mobilizing committee member) on Wednesday October 23, 2024 from 4 to 6 PM at the CLARI Room (AT340) at Saint Mary’s. To attend online, send an email to Erica to RSVP and receive a Zoom link. There will be refreshments, union trivia, and prizes. All CUPE 3912 members and guests are welcome to attend!

  • A social media day of action, organized by CAUT, will take place all day on October 23, 2024 to amplify the voices of contract academic staff: MAKE IT FAIR FOR CONTRACT ACADEMIC STAFF Fair working conditions are fundamental to high quality post-secondary education. Join us in calling for the fair treatment of contract academic staff. We encourage members to use CAUT’s customizable social media material templatesand share them with the hashtag #MakeItFair and don’t forget to tag @cupe3912.ca

SMU Part-Time Faculty Bargaining Update

This summer, PT Faculty and TAs voted in favour of merging the two bargaining units. The university, however, was not in agreement so we will formally make an application to the provincial labour board to merge.

In the meantime (and after much planning and organizing that began in the fall of 2023), we have requested and secured three dates to start renegotiating our collective agreement that expired in August. The bargaining dates are October 17th (cancelled by the employer), 23rd, and 24th.

Statement of Support for CUPE 2361 at Western Univeristy

CUPE 3912 supports our colleagues at CUPE 2361 at Western in their fight for fair compensation and improved working conditions. CUPE 2361’s members are essential for the function of academia and innovation, and their demands must be met for Western to continue offering quality education and to conduct cutting-edge research.

CUPE 3912 supports the right to free assembly and peaceful protest

CUPE 3912 supports the right to free assembly and peaceful protest and calls upon Dalhousie to reverse its position on restricting its gathering spaces. Being able to advocate for a cause by establishing a presence and occupying a space is fundamental to activism, including the objectives of a labour union. Dalhousie’s troubling decision to expel individuals in the community, including CUPE 3912 members, from its campus greenspace has severe implications for any other group looking to advocate for better quality of life.

CUPE 3912 BBQ — July 12

On July 12 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, CUPE 3912 will be hosting a BBQ for members. We will be serving corn with lots of toppings, cake, coffee and other cold drinks! The location will be the Former Art Bar at 1873 Granville St, Halifax, NS B3J 3L6.

This is a great opportunity to meet other members and to ask questions (also an excellent opportunity to enjoy a free meal).

If you plan to attend, please fill out this RSVP form as soon as possible, as we need to know how much food to prepare. The RSVP form is also a place for you to let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions! Feel free to bring friends, just let us know in the RSVP form how many folks to expect.

Hope to see you there!

National Indigenous Peoples Day

On June 21, we acknowledge the ongoing, fierce advocacy of Indigenous CUPE members and Indigenous people across the country. As part of Canada’s largest union, we acknowledge that it is more important than ever to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples to their unceded territories, as well as to preserve and protect their cultures and languages.

CUPE stands in solidarity with Indigenous nations, communities and organizations and is committed to continuing to work towards reconciliation, and to respect our ongoing treaty relationships.

For resources and actions to learn and to reflect on the ongoing harm caused by colonialism and Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people see CUPE National’s guide.

Join Us at the 2024 Truro Pride Parade! 🌈

We are excited to invite you to join us for the 2024 Truro Pride Parade! This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and the strength of our community.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Meeting Time: 12:30 PM
Parade Start Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Colchester Legion Stadium, Lorne Street, Truro
Parade Route: From Colchester Legion Stadium to Civic Square

Look for the CUPE Nova Scotia van at the stadium where we’ll be decorating and getting ready for the parade. It promises to be a day filled with fun, community spirit, and colorful festivities. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this significant event and would love for you to join us in showing our support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Let’s come together to make this year’s Pride Parade a memorable celebration of love and acceptance.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

#2slgbptqia+ #pride2024



Solidarity with SMUFU in declaring No Confidence in SMU President and Chair of BOG

The Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union (SMUFU) has voted 91.1% in support of a motion of No Confidence in the President of SMU and the Chair of the SMU Board of Governors. The vote follows years of serious mismanagement and a lack of accountability and transparency. Recently, financial mismanagement led to the closure of The Language Centre at SMU.
There will be an information and solidarity event on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. at the corner of Inglis Street and Tower Road. Please join us as we stand in solidarity with SMUFU in demanding new leadership.

New and Returning Elected Officials

Throughout March we held a general meeting and unit meetings for each bargaining unit. Resulting from this, we have our elected officials for the next year.

Thanks to all who ran, and thanks to our outgoing officers for their service to CUPE 3912.

Contact information for executive officers can be found here.

Executive Officers

  • Lauren McKenzie, President
  • Tanya Bilsbury, Communications Officer
  • Jean-Philippe Bourgeois, Secretary-Treasurer
  • Aiden Farrant, Recording Secretary
  • Claire Drummond, VP NSCAD
  • Greg Nepean, VP MSVU
  • Samantha Williams, VP SMU TAs
  • Erica Fischer, VP SMU PT Faculty
  • Carlos Pessoa, VP Dalhousie PT Faculty
  • Holly Hanes, VP Dalhousie TAs/Markers, Studley Campus
  • Hadi Matin Rouhani, VP Dalhousie TAs/Markers, Sexton Campus
  • Mohammad Ramezani, VP Dalhousie Truro Campus

Non-Executive Officials

  • Nolan Dickson, Steward, SMU TAs
  • Rebecca Roher, Steward, NSCAD
  • Jordan Dempsey, Steward, Dalhousie
  • Jonathon Tot, Steward, Dalhousie
  • Shehzeen, Steward, Dalhousie
  • Jenna MacPhee, Steward, Dalhousie
  • Neil Balan, Steward, SMU PT Faculty
  • Kim Robinson, Membership Officer

Bylaw Committee Members

  • Cameron Ells
  • Erica Fischer
  • Carlos Pessoa
  • Greg Nepean
  • Shehzeen
  • Mohammad Ramezani

Newsletter and Education Committee Members

  • Janet Fu
  • Wenceslao Amezcua
  • Mohammad Ramezani
  • Shehzeen
  • Kim Robinson