Part-time faculty at two Halifax universities strike over pay and job security, forcing hundreds of class suspensions and disrupting the fall semester.
Halifax Faculty Strike Halts Hundreds of University Classes
Hundreds of university classes have been suspended this week in Halifax as part-time faculty at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) and Saint Mary’s University (SMU) walked off the job amid stalled contract talks over wages and job security.
Walkouts Hit Two Campuses
Part-time instructors at MSVU began their strike on Wednesday, followed by SMU faculty on Thursday. Both groups, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have been working without a contract since 2024.
MSVU confirmed 337 classes were suspended, while SMU’s website listed about 300 affected courses, leaving thousands of students in academic limbo.
Union Calls for Fair Pay and Stability
CUPE local president Lauren McKenzie said members are struggling under low stipends and precarious contracts. “Many are cobbling together multiple jobs just to feed their families,” she said. “It’s become impossible to sustain an academic career under these conditions.”
McKenzie added that limited research time and lack of full-time opportunities have left many instructors frustrated and uncertain about their futures.
Universities Cite Financial Strain
MSVU associate vice-president Karen White acknowledged that compensation remains the main dispute but pointed to ongoing financial pressures. The university is projecting a $1.59-million deficit this year and plans to draw on reserves to manage rising costs.
“We’re facing significant financial and operational challenges,” White said. “We want to keep education affordable for students while maintaining quality programming.”
Impact on Students and Teaching
Part-time instructors teach a substantial share of courses—about 46% at MSVU and 18% at SMU. Their starting stipend is around $6,200 per course at MSVU and $6,100 at SMU, according to the union.
The suspension of hundreds of classes has disrupted lectures, labs, and grading schedules, leaving many students uncertain when their courses will resume.
Negotiations and Broader Context
Both universities said they remain open to further negotiations. A Saint Mary’s spokesperson stated that the institution “is committed to reaching a fair agreement in good faith,” emphasizing student success as a priority.
The strike follows a turbulent summer in Nova Scotia’s post-secondary sector, after Dalhousie University faculty faced a lockout in August. That dispute ended in mid-September, but not before weeks of class disruptions.
What Comes Next
The union says roughly 475 part-time faculty are currently under contract at both universities, though not all are teaching this term. Many are calling for wage increases to match comparable institutions and better guarantees for future employment.
As talks continue, the standoff highlights deeper tensions in Canada’s higher education system—between constrained university budgets and growing demands for fair compensation and job security.
