This article, written by Mary Oxner, originally appeared in the Summer 2016 edition of The Beacon.

The Third Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University and the StFXAUT expired as of June 30, 2016. Prior to its expiration, the StFXAUT provided notice of the intent to engage in collective bargaining with a view to negotiate the next collective agreement. A Negotiation Committee of the StFXAUT was struck in late April 2016. It consists of Chief Negotiator Dr. Ken MacAulay (Faculty-Accounting), Dr. Christie Lomore (Faculty-Psychology), and Kris Hunter (Lab Instructor-Biology). The University’s Administration also struck a negotiation team: Chief Negotiator Andrew Beckett (Vice President, Finance & Administration), Dr. Petra Hauf (Dean of Science), and Jennifer Swinemar-Murray (Director, Human Resources).

Negotiation meetings have been held in July (three dates) and in August (five dates). Negotiations continue into September. At our next meeting, scheduled for Monday September 19, 2016, Ken MacAulay, Chief Negotiator, will provide a synopsis of the status and timeline for the completion of the Fourth Collective Agreement.