There’s a strike looming at Dalhousie as of Wednesday.

The university was unable to reach a deal with one of its unions (CUPE Local 3912) which represents some instructors, teachers assistants, markers and demonstrators.

The main sticking point is wages. Dalhousie teachers’ assistants are paid $24 per hour, and have not been given a raise since 2019.

CUPE Local 3912 has announced their members will be on strike as of 12:01 a.m and picketing will begin on Wednesday morning at the McCain building.

CUPE Local 3912

“This is not the outcome we wanted. We recognize the value CUPE members bring to our campus community and share a commitment to achieving many of the goals the union brought to the table. We believe the university’s final proposal was both significant and responsive to the union’s concerns. In an effort to be fully transparent, the university’s final proposal that was presented to the CUPE bargaining team prior to talks breaking down will be made publicly available on Wednesday,” said Laura Neals and Chris Hattie, Co-Assistant Vice-Presidents, Human Resources.

During the strike:

Campus remains open.

Most Dalhousie classes will continue. Classes taught by CUPE instructors will be suspended for the duration of the strike. There may be impacts on coursework, assessment, and/or labs in other courses supported by CUPE Teaching Assistants (TAs), Markers or Demonstrators.

Students should watch for communications from their individual instructors, or their department or Faculty, for information on how their courses would be affected.

All other employees (faculty and staff) outside of CUPE are required to report to work as usual. This includes grant-paid employees and members of the DFA, NSGEU and PSAC bargaining units, as well as members of the DPMG, senior administration and other non-unionized employees.