Dal, faculty reach tentative deal

A labour disruption appears to have been averted at Nova Scotia's largest university.

Bargaining teams for Dalhousie University in Halifax and its faculty reached a tentative contract agreement Friday after meeting with a government conciliator.

The university and the Dalhousie Faculty Association announced the tentative deal in an email to students and staff Friday, saying negotiators had resolved the outstanding issues.

“The parties would like to extend thanks to all bargaining team members who volunteered their time to be involved in this important process,” the notice said.

Details of the new collective agreement are not being released until it is ratified by members of the faculty association and the university's board of governors.

The two sides came close to reaching a two-year agreement last month. The faculty association's executive committee was willing to approve all recommendations in a Dec. 16 conciliation report, but the university refused to accept proposed changes to education leave for instructors.

Both sides committed to no strike or lockout until talks resumed in the new year.

The faculty association represents 950 professors, instructors, librarians and counsellors at the university. Members voted more than 90 per cent in favour of a strike in October.

More than 19,000 students are enrolled at Dalhousie. Like many universities, most of its courses are being conducted online this academic year because of the COVID19 pandemic, with a limited number of staff and faculty allowed on campus.

Madeleine Stinson, president of the Dalhousie Student Union, said students were relieved to learn of the tentative agreement.

“For students, this development means that there won't be an interruption to our access to education during an already difficult year,” Stinson, who's studying business management, said in a statement Saturday.

“Students have expressed anxiety and frustration over these negotiations and we're thankful that both parties demonstrated consideration in avoiding a strike or lockout. We look forward to seeing this agreement ratified by DFA members and the university's board.

“The DSU will continue, as always, to support students by advocating for equitable working and learning conditions on our campuses.“