Sackville, NB – The Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA) has set a strike deadline for 12.01 am on January 27, 2014, in a continuing effort to resolve its dispute with the administration over the terms of the next collective agreement.
“At our last session at the negotiating table it became clear that our positions remain far apart. The administration is persisting with proposals that undermine collegial governance and increase administrative control over teaching and research,” said MAFA President Loralea Michaelis.
The Association has identified workload and the need to provide greater support to the core academic mission of the university as its main issues. Salaries, pensions and benefits for full-time as well as part-time members are also areas of contention.
During a strike vote that was held on January 13 and 14, part-time and full-time faculty and librarians voted 86% in favour of calling a strike if necessary.
“We had hoped that this evidence of member resolve would persuade the administration to take our concerns seriously. It seems to have made little difference,” Michaelis commented.
“It will be difficult to withdraw from our classrooms and labs,” added Michaelis. “We are committed to protecting our students’ learning conditions. This is why we cannot stand by while the administration erodes academic freedoms and the integrity of academic programs.”
The Association has posted a series of FAQs on its negotiations website at mafanegotiations.ca to address specific student questions and concerns. The website also has additional information about the main issues under negotiation.
The next negotiating session will be held on Friday, January 24th.
MAFA represents 154 full-time and 56 part-time faculty and librarians, and has been in negotiations since early June 2013.