The strike at St. Francis Xavier University may be over.
After a marathon bargaining session yesterday, negotiators for the Association of University Teachers (AUT) and University administrators have reached what they hope is a tentative agreement. The full AUT Executive met this morning to consider the offer, and has unanimously recommended it to the membership for a ratification vote.
A meeting will be held Friday to explain the offer to members, with the vote to follow immediately afterwards and continue on Saturday. The results are expected to be released later on Saturday.
“The democratic process must be respected to ensure all members have an opportunity to vote on the agreement,” said Peter McInnis, AUT President. “Some members who are on sabbatical or leave, and those who are not in the area, will also need to be given an opportunity to vote.”
The AUT executive believe they have achieved a settlement that takes the needs of the AUT's diverse membership into consideration. McInnis attributes the achievement of the tentative agreement to the commitment of AUT members to a successful job action, and to the perseverance of the negotiating team.
Modified strike activities will continue for the rest of the week while the AUT scales down operations. Classes will resume on Monday.
