Dalhousie University's student union will carry on negotiations during Tuesday's meeting aimed at resolution.

Dalhousie University Lockout Nears Three-Week Mark as Conciliation Talks Continue

After three weeks of a lockout that has suspended many classes at Dalhousie University, the conciliation talks between the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) and the university's board of governors are set to continue on Tuesday.

The DFA, which represents nearly 1,000 professors, librarians, instructors, and professional counsellors, is seeking a significant wage increase and expanded benefits, while the university's final offer is a more modest increase over three years. The union is demanding a 14.25 per cent wage increase, while the university's offer stands at six per cent.

The DFA is also pushing for expanded parental leave benefits and expanded access to child care, among other things. The union president, Dave Westwood, accused the board of governors' bargaining team of not acting in good faith before the Monday meeting, stating that they are dealing with an unprofessional and unpredictable bargaining partner trying to undermine the collective bargaining process to sow division and confusion.

The lockout was initiated by the university's board of governors during the collective bargaining negotiations starting August 20XX, demanding concessions related to wage increases and benefit adjustments. The DFA Bargaining Team agreed that the only way to conclude a new collective agreement is at the bargaining table under the supervision of a conciliator.

The DFA filed a complaint with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour last month over the university's use of public messages to directly bargain with members. Both parties resumed talks with a provincially-appointed conciliator on Monday.

Negotiations for a new collective agreement have been ongoing for months, with the previous agreement expiring at the end of June. The conciliator has directed the university and the union to return to the bargaining table at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The lockout has had a significant impact on the university, with many classes suspended and students left in limbo. The fall semester at Dalhousie started on Sept. 2, and it remains to be seen how the ongoing negotiations will affect the academic calendar moving forward.

The DFA and the university's board of governors will continue their efforts to reach a resolution in the coming days. The conciliation talks will be closely watched by both parties and the wider community as they strive to find a way forward and end the lockout.

Dalhousie University's student union will carry on negotiations during Tuesday's meeting aimed at resolution.