This section of the Saint Mary's University website is dedicated to updates on labour relations between the university and its bargaining units.
Saint Mary's University provides an excellent environment for research, teaching and learning, and working for our faculty, students and staff. The university administration understands that faculty and staff are critical pillars of the university and vital to our mission and ability to create, share, and disseminate knowledge to the world.
Saint Mary's is committed to providing competitive terms and compensation for faculty and staff while ensuring the institution's sustainability. The university administration respects the collective bargaining process and is committed to coming to timely agreements.
See our frequently asked questions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Dear faculty, staff, and students,
CUPE 3912, representing part-time faculty at Saint Mary's University, has filed notice of its members’ intent to strike as early as Thursday, October 23, 2025, if an agreement is not reached at the bargaining table.
A strike notice does not mean that a strike is inevitable. Negotiations will continue on Wednesday, October 22 when members of the union and the university bargaining teams meet with a provincially-appointed conciliator. We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached and strike prevented.
What happens if CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty goes on strike?
CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty is comprised of part-time instructors only. This union group does not include full-time faculty or teaching assistants.
If a strike does occur, university operations and most classes would continue.
Only courses taught by part-time faculty members would be paused.
If a strike occurs, the courses that are paused would be clearly indicated on the university's website and on Brightspace. Students could contact Academic Advisors, and/or Department Chairpersons or Program Coordinators to help answer questions about courses.
All other employees (staff and full-time faculty) would continue work as usual in the event of a CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty strike.
Your best source of information is these Labour Relations webpages, which contain FAQs for students, faculty and staff. Check here frequently to see the latest updates and information.
CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty members play an integral role in the academic life of Saint Mary's University. The negotiating team representing the university is aiming for a fair deal at the bargaining table that supports our CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty members while balancing our financial realities, the needs of our students, and our agreements with other employee groups.
If a CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty strike does occur, the university's webpages will be the central source for official information on strike procedures and contingencies. Information regarding a potential CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty strike is available here.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shannon Dea,Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research
See our CUPE 3912 – Part-time Faculty Information and FAQs.