Dalhousie Faculty Association members and supporters walk through the university campus after attending a large rally in front of the Killam Memorial Library on Friday Photo by Ryan TaplinArticle contentDalhousie Faculty Association president Dave Westwood said the last thing his members want is a protracted labour dispute with the university but, if so, they are ready.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOn Wednesday morning, Dalhousie initiated the lockout of its faculty staff, which includes professors, instructors, librarians and professional counsellors. All classes taught by faculty association members have been suspended.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentOn Thursday, the faculty voted 82.7 per cent to reject Dalhousie’s offer. The voting by DFA members concluded with 930 of the 981 members participating.Article content“Everyone is asking how long this may last, and I wish I had an answer,” said Westwood. “But the board’s approach to the lockout at this stage of the term is so confusing. I am hoping it’s going to be a short, concentrated effort, but if it gets dragged on for long, we are ready for it.Article content“We don’t want that to happen. We’ve got students coming in soon.”Article contentOn Friday, a few hundred supporters cheered as speakers offered support to the locked-out workers at a rally in front of Dalhousie’s Killam Library. Picket lines are active at Dalhousie’s Halifax campus and the agricultural campus in Truro.Article content“People are realizing this university is about people, it’s about us, other workers, whether they are in unions or not, it’s about students,” said Westwood. “It’s about people, not buildings.”Article contentArticle contentWages are one of the major issues in the labour battle. The university offered raises of two per cent over three years. The DFA is asking for increases of 3.75, 4.75 and 5.75 per cent over the three years.Article contentSome other areas the faculty is looking for improvements in are limited-term appointments, Indigenous leave, hours of work for professional counsellors and parental leave.Article contentAccording to Statistics Canada, the average annual salary for full-time teaching staff at Dalhousie last year was $159,350, with full professors being the highest earners. Eighty per cent of teaching staff earned between $110,000 and $213,550.Article content“University unions are unusual in some ways. People have very long careers as professors,” said Westwood. “We have members who have been professors for 45 years. When you see their salaries, every year they’ve gained a little bit. They are also internationally renowned and world-leading scholars, so when you say they earn $200,000 salaries, I think they deserve that because they have done a lot of astonishingly good work.
‘It’s about people, not buildings’: Dalhousie Faculty Association stages rally after being locked out
