(September 11, 2025 - Halifax, NS): Dalhousie President Kim Brooks has asked that the DFA share the Board of Governors’ latest offer with the DFA membership. The offer was shared via email with members late Wednesday evening.
“The Board continues to bargain in public. While this latest offer was not made through the proper channels, and did not reflect the full breadth of discussions that had taken place between the two sides, we nevertheless decided to share it with our members,” says Dave Westwood, DFA President. “We also shared the DFA proposal to show how much progress was actually being made during conciliation earlier this week. We have invited the Board to continue those productive discussions this morning at 9:00 but have not received any response. I have to seriously question their statements about wanting to end the lockout because that requires continuing negotiations, not presenting yet another ultimatum.”
DFA will hold two meetings with its membership today to provide a full update on the bargaining process to date.
“The Board has created a huge mess by choosing a lockout when they did, and they continue to act as though there is no problem, or that it is somehow the union’s fault that they have acted irrationally and ignored all the advice we have offered them,” notes Westwood. “They continue to misrepresent their financial situation, and have certainly not acknowledged the $8-10M saved while not paying 1000 faculty during the lockout.”
The DFA also tabled a proposal detailing what must happen for faculty members to return to work once an agreement is reached. At least ten days of preparation for fall term have been lost and the start of term is still uncertain. “Even when we eventually ratify a new collective agreement, members have lost mandatory preparation time and will need at least 10 days to get classes and laboratories ready for the Fall term.”
The Board has yet to present a plan on how to solve this problem, and any return-to-work arrangements must be ratified by DFA Members before the lockout will end.
The Dalhousie Board of Governors locked out 1000 professors, instructors, librarians and counsellors. DFA is recognized as the sole bargaining agent for its members.
About DFA
The DFA is the certified bargaining agent for almost 1,000 professors, instructors, librarians and professional counsellors at Dalhousie University. As a volunteer-based organization, we advocate for the rights of our members and work to protect and advance the academic integrity of the University.
To arrange an interview with DFA President David Westwood: email DFA Communications Officer Catherine.Wall@dal.ca