Pending Strike - President’s Update

Mar. 15, 2024 – Statement

Hello everyone,

Our community is about to enter uncharted waters, as we prepare for a possible strike by Faculty and Professional Support colleagues represented by the Atlantic Academic Union (AAU). The AAU has provided notice of a strike and indicated that a strike would likely begin on Monday, March 18.

While every hour before that date is an opportunity for both teams to reach agreements, we must also prepare for what a strike would mean for our community.

What we can expect on Monday

The College will remain open during a strike by AAU members; however, all teaching and professional support work will stop, and classes will be cancelled.

More than 1,000 non-striking employees will continue to report to work to ensure our libraries, learning commons and computer labs stay open for students during a strike.

The College and the AAU have agreed to certain protocols, or rules, to follow during a strike. Students, non-striking employees and community members will have access to campuses and learning centres and they can expect to see picket lines at our campuses and learning centres. Picketers have the right to slow down both walking and driving traffic at the picket line, but they cannot stop people from going to work, school, daycare or other programming. We ask for everyone’s patience as you experience these delays.

Understanding the impacts of a strike

Even as the bargaining teams have worked tirelessly to resolve the last outstanding issue on wages, the College has been preparing for the possibility of a strike. This includes providing our community with the information they need to navigate one. Students and community members can find information on our website (nscc.ca/bargaining) and employees can find information on Connect.

At what can be a stressful time, always remember there are wellness supports available for you. If someone is in distress and requires immediate support, contact the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free).

The way forward

NSCC respects the collective bargaining process. While the bargaining teams have worked hard since August to find agreements without a strike, it is a step available to the Union as part of this process, and we respect their right to take it.

While a strike will be new territory for NSCC, we have a shared foundation of care and concern for one another, and a commitment to the success of our students. I hope everyone approaches the coming days, and the potential disruption, with those shared commitments in mind.

Staying connected

During a strike, we would continue to provide regular updates on Collective Bargaining and provide Academic updates with information about effects on programming, including work placements. Please continue to watch your email, nscc.ca/bargaining and Connect.

We are all working hard to mitigate the impact of a potential strike on students, employees and our community. During what can be a challenging time, it is so important to ensure we are respectful and kind to one another.

With thanks,

Don