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Week 4 Dalhousie Strike Update

All work done by CUPE 3912 members should stop for the length of the strike. If you continue to work, you will not be paid.

Bargaining Update

Due to all of our efforts, Dalhousie’s Administration returned to the bargaining table with a better offer, but one that did not meet all of our demands. For details visit our Bargaining Updates page.

Let’s keep up the pressure by picketing even harder to support our Negotiating Committee before and during their bargaining meetings.

Special Membership Meeting

6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2022

The meeting will be hybrid. You may attend either in-person at the DSU Council Chambers, on the 2nd floor of the SUB or via Zoom (check your email to RSVP).

Picketing Plan

November 7 – 10, 2022

Monday (Nov. 7)
Tuesday (Nov. 8)
Wednesday (Nov. 9)
Thursday (Nov. 10)

Picketing has reduced hours (10 AM – 4 PM) for reading week. No picketing on Remembrance Day.

Anyone can join, no prior signup required. Just show up, go to the tent to receive information, buttons, and a sign, and join the picket line. If you have an active contract, sign in and sign out on the timesheets at the tent to ensure you get strike pay. While everyone is welcome at any time, we encourage people to sign-up for our strike schedule. Please sign-up here:

Sign Up for Strike Duties

For those who cannot perform strike duties in person due to living far away from Halifax or having specific accommodation needs (immunocompromised or other), please contact DalRemoteDuties@cupe3912.ca.

Other Strike-Related Information

Strike Pay
  • Our picketing schedule is Monday-Friday, but strike pay is recorded from Wednesday-Tuesday because our strike started on a Wednesday. You will only get paid for at most 20 hours of strike duties with a Wednesday-Tuesday week. Strike pay cheques become available on the following Friday. Please visit the Strike HQ in the SUB to receive your cheque (remote members will have their cheques mailed).

    Further detail on the development of the hardship fund will be available at the Special Membership Meeting.

Contact

Bargaining Update

Reminder: Special Membership Meeting (SMM) on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in DSU Council Chambers (second floor of the SUB) or via Zoom.

Thanks to all our work on the picket line and the solidarity of our allies, we have made strides in negotiations. We have had over 6000 people sign our petitions, dozens of other unions have joined us online or in person in solidarity, and over 450 members continue to walk our picket lines. The community, both of Halifax and the students of Dalhousie, have offered us support and that has helped us move forward.

This week in bargaining, Dalhousie’s Administration presented an offer that we countered with a proposal that matched the concerns and needs of our membership. In response, Dalhousie’s Administration presented a second offer nearly identical to the first. Most of the gains in Dalhousie’s Administration’s current offer will not take effect until September, 2023. Below is a breakdown of the two offers.

Offer Comparison

Part-Time Academics:

# of courses 2020 2021 # of courses 2022 2023
Our Offer 0-7

8-19

20+

 $10,777.92

$12,343.52

$13,103.66

 $11,209.04

$12,837.26

$13,627.81

 $11,993.67

$13,735.87

$14,581.75

 $12,713.29

$14,560.02

$15,456.66
Dal’s Offer (Nov. 3) 0-7

8-19

20+ 

 $10,594.80

$12,133.80

$12,881.03

 $10,727.24

$12,285.47

$13,042.04

 0-13
14+		 $12,654.05
$14,133.30		 $12,907.14
$14,415.96

Though the removal of the first tier is a win for those who have taught 0-7 and 14-19 courses, it leaves behind all other PTAs. They have simply averaged the wages for three tiers into two to try and divide PTAs, pitting them against each other. 

In addition, there is almost no retro pay included for 2020 and 2021. This will result in less retro pay per class taught prior to this year for all PTAs. 

Year 2020 2021
Retro Pay Denied (per 6 credits) $183-$222 $481-$585

Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy, and Fountain School of Performing Arts:

Role 2020 2021 2022 2023
Our Offer Nursing

DH

PT/OT

FSPA

 $34.32

$40.14

$45.22

$66.00

 $45

$40.64

$45.78

$66.83

 $47.90

$42.89

$48.18

$70.38

 $48.85

$43.74

$49.15

$71.79
Dal’s Offer (Nov. 3) Nursing

DH

PT/OT

FSPA

 $34.32

$40.14

$45.22

$66.00

 $45

$40.64

$45.78

$66.83

 $47.90

$43.40

$48.70

$70.38

 $48.85

$44.27

$49.68

$71.79

During negotiations, Dalhousie’s Administration exceeded our offer for Nursing, DH, PT/OT, and FSPA. We will be happy to match their wages with our next offer.

Pharmacy:

2022 2023
Our Offer $51.00 $52.02
Dal’s Offer (Nov. 3) $50.00 $51.00

Between Wednesday and Thursday, Dalhousie’s Administration lowered their offer for Pharmacy, seemingly moving the money into other sections rather than raising the wage unilaterally. We retained the higher wage in our offer.

Teaching Assistants:

2020 2021 2022 2023
Our Offer $25.63 $27.17 $30.97 $32.52
Dal’s Offer $24.72 $25.02 $28.61 $30.05

Though Dalhousie’s Administration improved their offer this round, their maximum offer still does not reach the minimum our members requested in surveys, Q&As, and during bargaining meetings nor does it meet parity with the U15.

Markers/Demonstrators:

2020 2021 2022 2023
Our Offer N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dal’s Offer $16.82 $17.03 $22.43 $23.55

Our offer was to remove the Marker/Demonstrator roles entirely to prevent the exploitation in these roles, which currently allows for responsibilities traditionally performed by TAs to be completed for 32% less an hour. The wages for Marker/Demonstrators need to be tied to TA wages so that the opportunity for exploitation is removed.

What Happens Next?

Special Membership Meeting – November 8th at 6:30 p.m.:

Leading up to the strike, we based our negotiation strategy and proposals on the responses of our membership to our surveys, discussions on the picket line, and online Q&As. 

Now that we are three weeks into the strike and have completed the most recent rounds of bargaining, we will be holding a Special Membership Meeting (SMM) on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in DSU Council Chambers (second floor of the SUB) or via Zoom to gauge current membership opinions and concerns on picketing and the bargaining process.

Survey: 

We are currently developing a survey to gather electronic responses from our membership regarding how bargaining is currently going and how they want to proceed. This survey will be made available following the SMM on Tuesday.

Dalhousie has spent considerable resources trying to divide us and undercut our efforts. This shows that our actions are effective. Every meeting we have with the Dalhousie Negotiating Committee earns us more. While some members of our union may have reached what they wanted, we continue to push for those who have not. The meeting and the survey next week are your opportunity to have your voice heard again. 

Dalhousie works because we do.



Week 3 Dalhousie Strike Update

All work done by CUPE 3912 members should stop for the length of the strike. If you continue to work, you will not be paid.

Bargaining Update

Our strike is effective. After more than a week of our strike, Dalhousie’s Administration has agreed to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. For details visit our Bargaining Updates page.

Let’s keep up the pressure by picketing even harder to support our Negotiating Committee before and during their bargaining meetings.

Picketing Plan

October 31st – November 4th, 2022

Monday (Oct. 31)
  • Studley Quad (Studley)
  • SPECIAL EVENT: Student Walkout @ 12 PM (feel free to wear a costume)
Tuesday (Nov. 1)
Wednesday (Nov. 2)
Thursday (Nov. 3)
Friday (Nov. 4)

Anyone can join, no prior signup required. Just show up, go to the tent to receive information, buttons, and a sign, and join the picket line. If you have an active contract, sign in and sign out on the timesheets at the tent to ensure you get strike pay. While everyone is welcome at any time, we encourage people to sign-up for our strike schedule. Please sign-up here:

Sign Up for Strike Duties

Sign Up for Reading Week (Reduced Hours)

For those who cannot perform strike duties in person due to living far away from Halifax or having specific accommodation needs (immunocompromised or other), please contact DalRemoteDuties@cupe3912.ca.

Other Strike-Related Information

Strike Pay
  • Our picketing schedule is Monday-Friday, but strike pay is recorded from Wednesday-Tuesday because our strike started on a Wednesday. You will only get paid for at most 20 hours of strike duties with a Wednesday-Tuesday week. Strike pay cheques become available on the following Friday. Please visit the Strike HQ in the SUB to receive your cheque (remote members will have their cheques mailed).

    The hardship fund is in development; more information is coming soon.

Contact

We Are On Strike! (Week 2)

All work done by CUPE 3912 members should stop for the length of the strike. If you continue to work, you will not be paid.

Picketing Plan

October 24th-28th, 2022

Any member can join us, no prior signup required. Just show up, go to the tent to receive information, sign-in on the timesheets, pick up buttons and a sign, join the picket line, and sign-out when you leave to ensure you get strike pay.

Following Weeks

 

Sign Up for Strike Duties

Anyone can show up, the more the better, however we encourage people to sign up for the times you selected on the form.

Other Strike-Related Information

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Most answers to strike-related questions can be found in  the Strike FAQ. Please check the material in the posts and FAQs before emailing us to improve response times.
  • If you cannot find the answer to your questions here, please email one of the VPs or drop in at Strike HQ in the SUB (Boardroom B, second floor).
  • Our picketing schedule is Monday-Friday, but because our strike started on a Wednesday, the pay period for strike pay is Wednesday-Tuesday. This pay period is set by the CUPE National Strike Fund Regulations. 
    • In practical terms, this means that: 
      • The pay for the last week (Oct. 19-22) is not yet ready, because technically the pay period ends on Tuesday, Oct. 25. There is not yet pay for those who have taken on strike duties. 
      • The tentative pay date is every Friday, but we are not yet sure. The pay date will be clarified ASAP. Everyone’s efforts are appreciated, and we want everyone to be compensated for their time. We are trying to adapt to the situation as necessary.
Negotiations Update 
  • On the 24th October, 2022, Dal Admin sent us a notice of arbitration, which means they want a third party to decide on the wages we deserve. We believe arbitration is premature since it is only the first week of strike. However, we are always open to meet them at the bargaining table, if they decide to return.
  • The last set of negotiations took place on October 17 and 18, 2022, and the Dalhousie Administration walked away from the table. Their final offer was much lower than what our surveys showed that our membership would accept. They also refused to offer a four year agreement as is standard for academic collective agreements.
  • These are the increases the Dalhousie Administration has offered over three years:
    • PTAs 12.28%, 11.43%, and 11.09% depending on the tier
    • Teaching Assistants 17.69%
    • Markers/Demonstrators 30.40%
  • Our offer, covering four years (2020-2023), asked for:
    • PTAs 17.54%
    • Teaching Assistants 27.33%
    • Markers/Demonstrators designation to be eliminated to prevent duty creep.
Hardship 
  • Organization of the hardship fund is in process; more information to come shortly.
Accessibility
  • For those who need accommodations due to a disability or alternate strike duties due to distance, please contact DalRemoteDuties@cupe3912.ca.
Contact
  • For emergencies which cannot be handled by picket captains, or to discuss accommodations in person, check in with the team at Strike HQ located in Boardroom B, on the second floor in the Student Union Building.
  • For media, please reach out to our Communications Officer, Gábor Lukács, at communications@cupe3912.ca, or our Outreach Coordinator, David Banoub, at outreach@cupe3912.ca.
  • For other matters, contact us at office@cupe3912.ca.

We Are On Strike!

As of this morning, we are on strike. All work done by CUPE 3912 members should stop for the length of the strike. If you continue to work, you will not be paid.

Picketing Plan

October 19-21, 2022

Picketing Location: McCain Building (and surrounding areas)
  • Members are strongly encouraged to picket as many hours as they can. The union can pay up to $180 for the 3 days (12 hours).
Sign-Up Location
  • Sign-in/out takes place in the tent on the green space between the Marion McCain Building and the SUB.
Who
  • Any member can join us, no prior signup required. Just show up, sign in, and join the picket line.
What to Do
  • Go to the tent to receive information, pick up buttons and a sign, and sign in on the time sheets.

Following Weeks

Pick Your Schedule
  • Enter the hours you will be picketing.

Sign Up for Strike Duties

Sign-Up Location
  • You will receive an email with the location of the picket line you are assigned to at least a day before.
Who
  • Anyone can show up, the more the better, however we encourage people to sign up for the times you selected on the form.
What to Do
  • Go to your picket captain and sign-in when you show up. They will record your name and sign-in time. When you are finished, go back to your picket captain to sign out to ensure you get paid.

Other Strike-Related Information

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Most answers to strike-related questions can be found in  the Strike FAQ. Please check the material in the posts and FAQs before emailing us to improve response times.
  • If you cannot find the answer to your questions here, please email one of the VPs or drop in at Strike HQ in the SUB (Boardroom B, second floor).
Negotiations Update 
  • The last set of negotiations took place on October 17 and 18, 2022, and the Dalhousie Administration walked away from the table. Their final offer was much lower than what our surveys showed that our membership would accept. They also refused to offer a four year agreement as is standard for academic collective agreements.
  • These are the increases the Dalhousie Administration has offered over three years:
    • PTAs 12.28%, 11.43%, and 11.09% depending on the tier
    • Teaching Assistants 17.69%
    • Markers/Demonstrators 30.40%
  • Our offer, covering four years (2020-2023), asked for:
    • PTAs 17.54%
    • Teaching Assistants 27.33%
    • Markers/Demonstrators designation to be eliminated to prevent duty creep.
Hardship 
  • Organization of the hardship fund is in process; more information to come shortly.
Accessibility
  • For those who need accommodations due to a disability or alternate strike duties due to distance, please contact DalRemoteDuties@cupe3912.ca.
Contact
  • For emergencies which cannot be handled by picket captains, or to discuss accommodations in person, check in with the team at Strike HQ located in Boardroom B, on the second floor in the Student Union Building.
  • For media, please reach out to our Communications Officer, Gábor Lukács, at communications@cupe3912.ca, or our Outreach Coordinator, David Banoub, at outreach@cupe3912.ca.
  • For other matters, contact us at office@cupe3912.ca.

We Start Striking on October 19, 2022

Build the Resistence (CUPE)

Due to the Employer’s refusal to offer us fair wages and working conditions, we have decided to call a strike and stop working at Dalhousie on:

October 19, 2022

This decision was not made lightly. We have made every effort to avert the strike, holding numerous events to raise awareness that many of you attended, but the Employers’ offers have not significantly improved.

We consulted among ourselves at all levels, from membership surveys, through Q&A sessions, and discussions among the Strike Committee and Executive Board members. Even then, we continued to negotiate in the hopes that we can avoid a work stoppage; however, the Employer’s latest offer leaves us no choice.

We are still hoping not to have to go on strike, but if the Employer continues to disregard our attempts to meet the cost of living in Halifax, we will stop working.

If this happens, we will be picketing starting the morning of the 19th. If you want to earn strike pay, it is more important than ever to sign up for hours and join us on the line!

Sign Up for Strike Duties

More Strike Q&A Sessions: October 11-14, 2022

Microphone with crowd in background

Given how popular last week’s Q&A sessions were, we are adding more dates this week. We encourage all CUPE 3912 members. PTAs, TAs, Markers/Demonstrators, to come and ask questions.

Tuesday, October 11

  • In person:
    • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Student Union Building main entrance
    • 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 6th Floor Grad Lounge
  • Online:

Wednesday, October 12

  • In person:
    • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Student Union Building main entrance
    • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 319 Chase Building
    • 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building main lobby
  • Online:

Thursday, October 13

  • In person:
    • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Student Union Building main entrance
    • 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Romero Room 1004, IDEA Building
  • Online:

Friday, October 14

  • In person:
    • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Student Union Building main entrance
    • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 114 Sir James Dunn Building
    • 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Rebecca Cohn front entrance gallery
  • Online:

Strike forms need to be signed on actual paper and submitted to us so that you can be paid for strike related activities. If a strike is called, Dalhousie will stop paying your Part-Time Academic, Teaching Assistant, and Marker/Demonstrator pay.

These forms can be:

  • Signed at scheduled Q&As or at the SUB Info Desk.
  • Printed, then signed, and handed in at the SUB Info Desk.
  • If you’re off-campus, print, sign, and send to Aiden Farrant.

Dalhousie Bargaining Update

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.

Strike Q & A Sessions

Want to know more about striking? 

We will be holding Strike Q&A Sessions this week in person and online. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to meet a few fellow CUPE 3912 members, please stop by.

  • Tuesday (Oct. 4)
  • Wednesday (Oct. 5)
    • In Person: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Computer Science, in front of the building
    • In Person: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Grawood
  • Thursday (Oct. 6)
  • Friday (Oct. 7)

What happens to your salary when go on strike?

On September 29, 2022, negotiations with the Employer at Dalhousie broke down because the Employer is unwilling to pay Dalhousie TAs, Markers, Demonstrators, and PTAs wages that are comparable to their peers, or account for inflation and the rising costs of living in HRM.A detailed update on the financial cost on us of Employer’s last offer and the estimated income loss this means for each of us will follow later this week; for now, the current deal will result in approximately 15-20% loss of our wages’ buying power by August 2023.The Employer’s representatives told us this was their last offer unless we go on strike.

During a strike, the Employer will stop paying your wages. Instead, you will receive strike pay for performing strike duties. If you are a graduate TA/Marker/Demonstrator, you will still receive your stipend but your TA Pay is frozen. PTA will have their entire wage from PTA work frozen. All CUPE 3912 members at Dalhousie must sign a Strike Pay Application Form without delay to be eligible to strike pay. More information for strike pay can be found here. You will have to do Strike related activities in order to receive strike pay, and you can make up to $1,200 tax free every month.

Strike Pay Application forms will be available for signature at the in-person sessions. For those who are unable to sign a form in person, we will be making arrangements for dropping off signed forms.

Upcoming and Past Strike Aversion Events

CUPE 3912 Fall 2022 BBQ
Dalhousie’s CUPE 3912 is actively engaging in Strike Aversion campaigns all across campus. We have been at several locations this month, and have more events scheduled. Consider stopping by to say hi or get an update on how things are going!

If you’d like to volunteer at one (or all) of these events to help us show Dalhousie that we’re strong and committed, please fill out this form for the remaining events.

Upcoming Events

Grawood Social

Enjoy a fun evening in our student union building where CUPE members and supporters can come to mingle. It’s an event for member and volunteer appreciation as well as to celebrate our successes with the Strike Aversion Campaign. There will be food and alcoholic drinks available for purchase with drink deals to be announced.

  • Date(s): Oct. 5th (note the new date)
  • Location: Grawood in the Student Union Building
  • Time(s): 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Ongoing Action

Support our collective effort by asking your family, friends, and co-workers to sign this petition. Show Dalhouse’s Board of Governors that we are not alone. The university works because we do. Our community recognizes that. It’s time the Board of Governors does too.

Past Events

CUPE 3912 Barbeque (Sep. 12, 2022)

Free food remains the best way to build solidarity and a crowd on campus.

CUPE 3912 Fall 2022 BBQ

Labour Day Rally (Sep. 5, 2022)

We marched together with other local unions and our members gave speeches at the Halifax-Dartmouth & District Labour Council’s Labour Day Rally.

CUPE 3912 members at Labour Day Rally 2022CUPE 3912 members at Labour Day Rally 2022

Campus Q&A Tables (Aug. 29 – Sep. 9, 2022)

We set up information tables across campus to answer your questions about what we do and the upcoming strike.
CUPE 3912 members tabling on Dalhousie campus