ANTIGONISH - Three weeks after a strike started at St. Francis Xavier University, classes resume today.
Academic Vice President and Provost Dr. Mary B. McGillivray confirmed that the tentative deal reached by the university and the St. Francis Xavier Association of University Teachers had been ratified.
“Additional details regarding the resumption of the term will be made available as soon as possible following a meeting of the University Senate,” she stated. “We look forward to getting our students back to class and resuming the term.”
The St. FX student union has expressed their relief at the news.
“We are pleased to acknowledge the announcement from the University that classes will resume on Monday,” they wrote this past weekend. “The past three weeks have been a hard road for everyone, and we appreciate the support of our members. We will provide updates in the coming days on back-to-work protocol and will continue to lobby on students behalf to ensure a smooth transition back into the classroom.”
Although the university is done with that strike, they are facing the risk of another, this time with the NSGEU.
Friday negotiations broke down between the union and the university.
The NSGEU has committed to take the University’s offer to its membership for a vote of acceptance or rejection. This vote is scheduled for Wednesday.
If the union membership votes to accept the University’s offer, any potential strike action will be canceled.
If the membership votes to reject the university’s offer, the membership will be declaring their intention to strike and the 14-day window to potential strike action will commence.
According to a release on the school’s website, the university is offering 1.5 per cent, 1.75 per cent, and 2 per cent annual increases for a total of 5.25 per cent non-compounded increase.
The university is also offering a $275 immediate cash bonus upon ratification of the agreement, representing an incremental 0.79 per cent increase for the average employee.
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