There's collective agreement about the collective agreement! The Acadia University Faculty Association (AUFA) and the Acadia Board of Governors have now ratified the 17th Collective Agreement that is effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.
"Both teams were committed to remaining positive, respectful, transparent, and making substantive progress in areas that would improve the lives of faculty. Together, the teams focused on changes to improve working conditions, streamline processes, enhance equity, and support people through fair wages while ensuring financial sustainability," says Jeff Hennessy, President and Vice-Chancellor.
The negotiating teams revised 39 articles 74% of the collective agreement and created seven Memorandums of Agreement (MOA). Negotiators met 21 days at the table from May 6 to August 8 this year, and settled amicably at the table on August 8.
"The two teams did a tremendous amount of work in a relatively short period of time and reached an agreement without a need for outside intervention." says Anthony Pash, AUFA Lead Negotiator. "We thank the Board's team for their hard work and willingness to engage in productive debate, and we hope that this is the model for negotiations going forward."
"We entered into these negotiations with a commitment to building relationships and finding collective solutions through this process. We are so proud of our joint accomplishments, and are very appreciative of the work, time, and efforts of everyone involved in the 17th Collective Agreement negotiations," says Erin Beaudin, Vice-President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer.
AUFA and Acadia's Board of Governors ratified the agreement on September 25th.
92% of AUFA members voting supported ratification of the agreement. "Our members are pleased with a new collective agreement that will see improvements in their working conditions and Acadia students' learning conditions," says AUFA President Chelsea Gardner.
Both negotiating teams were committed to respectful engagement, debating issues, and finding solutions to impasses - all with people at the centre. This round, both parties also agreed to share financial data through the joint creation and verification of a faculty model, and maintain transparency through financial modelling.
"The ratification of the 17th Collective Agreement represents an important milestone in labour relations at Acadia. The Collective agreement is an essential document that supports and enables positive employment relationships, and we are proud of how hard the teams worked to create a positive outcome and an improved agreement for the next three years," says Ashlee Cunsolo, Provost and Vice-President Academic. "Thank you to the AUFA bargaining team for all their time, effort, and hard work!
The negotiating team included:
The Board Team
- Erin Beaudin (Chief Negotiator)
- Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo (Negotiator)
- Dr. Jeff Hooper (Negotiator)
- Dr. Kate Ashley (Proposal & language drafting)
- Duane Currie (Financial modeling)
- Mary-Jane Sypher (Minutes)
AUFA Team
- Anthony Pash (Chief Negotiator)
- Dr. Paul Abela (Negotiator)
- Dr. Mariah Cooper (Negotiator)
- Dr. Eva Curry (Negotiator & Minutes)
- Dr. Stephanie Jones (Negotiator)
- Dr. Burc Kayahan (Negotiator and Financial modeling)
- Dr. Jeffrey Sachs (Negotiator)
AUFA is the trade union that represents approximately 350 faculty members at Acadia University, including full- and part-time professors, librarians, archivists, instructors, lecteurs/lectrices, PAD lecturers, and the Art Gallery Curator.
Founded in 1838, Acadia University is one of the oldest and most respected liberal arts universities in Canada. Our liberal arts curriculum, combined with the intangible Acadia spirit and sense of belonging, lays a strong foundation for our students' future aspirations.
