This article, written by Susan MacKay, originally appeared in the Fall 2016 issue of The Beacon.
In support of and in solidarity with our colleagues at the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), the StFXAUT donated $1,000 as a demonstration of that support during the Association’s 21-day strike. Some of UMFA’s central concerns include workload protection and the establishment of workload guidelines, more effective collegial governance, potential misuses of performance metrics, responsibility-based budgeting, and a recognition of fundamental equality among UMFA Members.
Funded by the CAUT Defence Fund, former StFXAUT President and CAUT Chair of Academic Freedom & Tenure, Dr. Peter McInnis, attended a flying picket on Friday, November 4th in solidarity with our colleagues at UMFA, representing the members of the StFXAUT.
The StFXAUT contributes monthly dues to the Defence Fund, which provides Canadian academic unions with a unified strike fund and financial support, including strike pay and coverage for mediation and arbitration costs, while its members are engaged in a strike or a lock-out and experiencing a loss of salary.
Dr. Bob Zecker is the Defence Fund Trustee for the StFXAUT.