The union that represents workers at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) and the university have reached an impasse in their negotiations.
In a news release, Thursday, CUPE says talks failed Tuesday night as the two sides bargain for their first collective agreement.
The union says 113 academic workers are asking for a “fair and equitable” hiring procedure and “meaningful job security protections,” which are basic and necessary for a first contract.
According to CUPE, instructors do not have any guarantee of employment beyond a single semester.
“People are moving to Halifax from elsewhere in the country to work at NSCAD, only to find out they’re guaranteed work for just three months once they arrive,” says Lachlan Sheldrick, Unit Vice-President of CUPE 3912’s NSCAD component.
“That’s hard on our members and it’s not a reasonable expectation from the employer. As a newly organized group, we’re trying to establish clear, fair hiring rules that provide stability and recognize experience.”
Conciliation talks are planned for February 27. If no agreement is reached, they will strike March 2.
