Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Robin Parker

Hannah Rosborough @hjrosborough.bsky.social · 23d

Time to bring this poster back? New article idea for the President and BoG:

Kim Brooks et al, "The Emerging Doctrine of Performative Bargaining: Lessons from Dalhousie University's Board of Governors" Employee Rts & Employment Pol'y J [forthcoming].

#KeepDalStrong @dalfaculty.bsky.social

1 2 6

Reposted by Robin Parker

Dalhousie Faculty Association @dalfaculty.bsky.social · 25d

It's been almost four weeks since the @dalhousieu.bsky.social lockout of DFA faculty began. Progress has been made. Now, it's time for President Brooks to step in and get the Board to accept what is a fair and reasonable offer by the DFA. Let's get on with the term. #keepdalstrong

21 35

Reposted by Robin Parker

Luc Cousineau @luccousineau.bsky.social · 26d

There is not a more fitting image considering @Dalhousie.bsky.social has already missed significant funding deadlines because of their lockout of @dalfaculty.bsky.social.
Likley to lose millions of 💲💲💲 in research funding over the next few years because of their choices.
#SAD
#KeepDalStrong
💸💸💸💸💸💸💸

A graphic illustration showing a wrecking ball labeled 'Lockout' smashing into four pillars labeled 'CIHR,' 'NSERC,' 'NFRF,' and 'SSHRC,' which are supporting a structure labeled 'Dalhousie Research.' The accompanying text warns that Dalhousie University’s faculty lockout is jeopardizing millions in research and student funding. It notes that faculty have been locked out of systems during critical grant deadlines, potentially resulting in the loss of over $4 million in research grants and $1.5 million in doctoral scholarships. The message ends with a call to action: 'Dal must act now to protect its future!!!'

8 15

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · 26d

Thank you for standing in solidarity with us! We miss you and all the Dal med learners too! It’s so hard knowing that they are continuing with their programs and I can’t help them until Dal admin comes back to the table and finishes negotiations. #keepdalstrong

1 1 6

Reposted by Robin Parker

Sara F.L. Kirk @sflkirk.bsky.social · 26d

"Here we are, with a legally-trained President once again electing to violate the duty to bargain in good faith as a tactic". Every member of the @dalfaculty.bsky.social wants to work. Stop this nonsense @dalhousie.bsky.social & bargain in good faith! #KeepDalStrong www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...

1 7 13

Reposted by Robin Parker

Robert Finbow @rfinbow.bsky.social · 26d

Key point to emphasize - once again midway through the process, the Board and Admin refused to return to discussions and instead resorted to PR. They could have met this AM at 9 to work toward solutions. #keepdalstrong

halifax.citynews.ca/2025/09/11/d...

Dalhousie, faculty association 'fairly close' to a deal, union president says

Atlantic Canada’s largest university and the association representing the more than 1,000 staff members are getting closer to an agreement, the union president said on Thursday. According to David Wes...

halifax.citynews.ca

1 6 17

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · 27d

DFA librarians debated removing modules from Brightspace; most decided to leave up with notice that we could not answer questions/provide personal support during lockout. Our generosity & desire to support students was taken advantage of by Uni & Libraries Admin #invisibleworkiswork #keepdalstrong

2 2 6

Reposted by Robin Parker

Rohan Maitzen @rohanmaitzen.bsky.social · 27d

I'm pretty sure that answering work emails during a lockout / defensive strike is strike-breaking so what game is the Dal Board playing here by making DFA members' emails "available" even as they warn them they aren't allowed to be working? So much WTF-ery. 😱

1 2 6

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · 27d

Same here. The efforts to #keepdalstrong are tougher when we are suffering migraines.

Jason Haslam @jasonhaslam.ca · 27d

I will say yesterday brought on a migraine the size of a small mountain, though.

1 2

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · 27d

The intensity of my FOMO & desire to tackle the mess of my inbox is fully countered by my rage at this gesture that is essentially an invitation to scab. Also found out admin is promoting research skill modules created by DFA librarians 😡 That’s OUR labour! Solidarity all the way. #keepdalstrong

Nik Thomas @nikthomas.bsky.social · 27d

After locking out faculty and blocking email account access for 3 weeks, Dalhousie University admin is now “providing email access to ensure an efficient return to work”.

Never mind that an agreement (contract) has not been signed nor voted on by anyone 🙃

Posturing and misinformation!
Madness.

3 7 15

Reposted by Robin Parker

Alex Speed @awhspeed.bsky.social · Sep 8

Today's another conciliation meeting. I hope both parties have productive talks, that last as long as they need to. Sending good wishes to everyone, and especially to our DFA bargaining team. #keepdalstrong

3 17

Reposted by Robin Parker

Julia M. Wright @juliamwright.bsky.social · Sep 5

I’ve used house metaphors to explain Dal’s “budget.” Your kitchen doesn’t owe the house because it uses more water than a bedroom.

Exceeding your household budget isn’t a problem if your income is big enough to cover the shortfall.

*You just need better estimates in your budget.* #KeepDalStrong

Luc Cousineau @luccousineau.bsky.social · Sep 5

Yesterday's information about operating surplus not enough for you? Here is @dalhousie.bsky.social charity disclosure of revenue/expenses.
Note how the green bars are consistently bigger than the red bars year-over-year?
That's surplus baby!
Deficit where exactly?
#KeepDalStrong

A screenshot from the Charity Data website displays financial and organizational information for Dalhousie University. The top portion includes the university’s name, designation as a Charitable Organization, and its classification under the category Teaching Institutions / Vocational / Technical School. The charity type is listed as Advancement of Education, and the Business Registration Number is 886806561RR0001. The university’s website is www.dal.ca, and its mailing address is 6299 South Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R6, Canada.

Below this summary, a bar graph compares revenue and total expenditures from 2020 to 2024:

The Y-axis ranges from $0 to $1,000,000,000 in $200 million increments.
The X-axis lists the years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Green bars represent revenue; red bars represent expenditures.

Approximate financial data:

2024: Revenue $900M; Expenditure $800M
2023: Revenue $850M; Expenditure $750M
2022: Revenue $800M; Expenditure $700M
2021: Revenue $750M; Expenditure $700M
2020: Revenue $700M; Expenditure $650M

The chart visually illustrates that Dalhousie University consistently operated with a surplus over the five-year period.

1 5 10

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · Sep 5

So frustrating! They argue that administrative service should be more efficient while piling on unnecessary labour in the form of repeated selection committees year after year.

1

Reposted by Robin Parker

Robert Finbow @rfinbow.bsky.social · Sep 5

From our colleague in Law, this is a brilliant dissection of the Board’s doubling down on unfair bargaining tactics in presenting their tepid "offer"

www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...

#keepdalstrong

From the Dalhousie community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the Dalhousie community

www.reddit.com

2 12 19

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · Sep 4

Agreed! The Board is very likely showing the roadmap of how they plan to navigate future negotiations with DFA and the other employee group unions. Union busting tactics should not be permitted to go unchallenged!

2 4

Reposted by Robin Parker

Luc Cousineau @luccousineau.bsky.social · Sep 4

Our STUDENTS are the most impacted by this lockout, but the DSU has made a public statement of their support of @dalfaculty.bsky.social.

If students, impacted significantly by @dalhousie.bsky.social's foolishness, are with us, the Admin have made errors.
www.dsu.ca/dfa-labour-n...
#KeepDalStrong

A promotional graphic featuring a photograph of a building with a prominent clock tower, partially obscured by leafy green trees in the foreground. Overlaid text reads:
"DSU DALHOUSIE STUDENT UNION" at the top, followed by "DSU Council Votes to Stand in Solidarity with DFA" in bold, centered text. At the bottom, smaller text reads: "More information to come." The image conveys a message of support from the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) for the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA).

8 10

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · Sep 4

Forgot the hashtag! #keepdalstrong

1 1 2

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · Sep 4

The new “revised final offer” includes conversion of 8 LTA positions to permanent. For those keeping score at home, that is about 10% of the current number of LTAs, but how did they get to that number? The 5yr limit is a much more transparent way to allocate based on proven need. #keepdalstrong

Dalhousie Faculty Association @dalfaculty.bsky.social · Sep 4

When a DFA member has been on LTA for 5 yrs, the position is clearly meeting a long-term teaching need. LTAs are on the same pay as career-stream faculty, conversion costs @dalhousieu.bsky.social nothing. Yet, they said no, asked us to drop the proposal for "interest arbitration." #KeepDalStrong

4 6

Reposted by Robin Parker

Luc Cousineau @luccousineau.bsky.social · Sep 4

Are you in #NovaScotia looking for #HealthCare?
Direct some of your ire at the @dalhousie.bky.social admin given that the lockout WILL cause #delays in getting #health graduates into the field in the #Maritimes.
I brought receipts.
buff.ly/wSFtMIP
buff.ly/6HG3x9M
buff.ly/z9dcaG4
#keepDalStrong

An advocacy graphic titled "DALHOUSIE'S BOARD OF GOVERNORS IS CREATING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS BY LOCKING OUT DFA MEMBERS" highlights the impact of a faculty lockout on Nova Scotia’s healthcare system. The graphic focuses on the Faculty of Health, noting that the lockout threatens the multi-year training pipeline for healthcare workers such as nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers. Key statistics include:

151 DFA members
10 Faculty of Health units
Over 3,000 students
Hundreds of millions in public funds at stake

It emphasizes that Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy students—who make up two-thirds of the affected population—face long-term consequences.

A section titled "WHY THE IMPACTS WILL LAST FOR YEARS" outlines four major concerns:

Multiple Cohorts Affected – delays could impact students from first to final year.
Pipeline Disruption – gaps in graduate flow create bottlenecks.
Cascading Shortages – fewer mentors and preceptors for future students.
Public Investment Erosion – taxpayer-funded healthcare expansion is delayed.

Another section labeled "SYSTEMIC CONSEQUENCES" lists broader effects:

Longer wait times for ER, surgery, diagnostics, and rehab.
Reduced access to care in community and teaching clinics.
Increased burnout among current staff.
Slower recovery from Nova Scotia’s healthcare crisis.

The graphic ends with a bold call to action:
"END THE LOCKOUT – LET EDUCATORS TEACH AND STUDENTS TRAIN – NOVA SCOTIA CAN’T WAIT YEARS FOR THE HEALTH-CARE WORKERS IT NEEDS TODAY."
Hashtag: #KEEPDALSTRONG

8 11

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · Sep 4

I really don’t understand how refusing to come to the negotiating table followed by an ultimatum with a ridiculously short timeline constitutes bargaining in good faith.

Robert Finbow @rfinbow.bsky.social · Sep 4

BOARD NOW: HERE IS A BIG BEAUTIFUL OFFER TO SWAY STUDENTS & AVOID A NEUTRAL CONCILIATOR WHO MIGHT SIDE WITH DFA. WE CAN MEET SOON IF DFA AGREES TO A DISTORTED PROCESS ON OUR DEADLINES. IF THEY SAY NO, THEY ARE THE BADDIES! THANK YOU FOR YOUR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! #keepdalstrong

1 2 9

Reposted by Robin Parker

Dalhousie Faculty Association @dalfaculty.bsky.social · Sep 2

DFA proposed a $500/yr increase in the Health Spending Account. About 60% of DFA members max out this benefit. This increase would cost @dalhousieu.bsky.social approx $300k/yr. But they wouldn't discuss it. The Board has saved $5.6 MILLION by having faculty locked out for 2 weeks.
#keepdalstrong

16 24

Reposted by Robin Parker

Julia M. Wright @juliamwright.bsky.social · Sep 1

Not just classes are cancelled. DFA members have been locked out by the admin since August 20th: we can't sign students in from waitlists, can't advise them, can't share syllabi, can't help them with scholarship applications, etc. etc.

#KeepDalStrong

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

'I just want to learn': Students in limbo as many Dalhousie classes cancelled amid strike | CBC News

Classes at Dalhousie University are supposed to start on Tuesday, but most have been cancelled due to a strike.

www.cbc.ca

2 21 52

Robin Parker @rmnparker.bsky.social · Aug 29

Really appreciated reading this summary on Reddit. Thanks for reposting here.

1

Reposted by Robin Parker

Dalhousie Faculty Association @dalfaculty.bsky.social · Aug 28

The @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors' "offer" for interest arbitration won't resolve this. It's just creating further delays. Bargaining on the issues important to our members is required. Stop with the stunts, let's get back to the table and talk. It's the only way to #KeepDalStrong

1 26 33

Reposted by Robin Parker

Tony R. Walker @tonyrwalker1.bsky.social · Aug 27

A Week of Silence 👎
A Week of Solidarity 💪

For the @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors and Administration this was a week of silence and isolation.

But for the @dalfaculty.bsky.social (DFA) this has been a week of loud #solidarity as we fight to #KeepDalStrong!

Keep Dal Strong

6 9