Despite the decision on Friday, January 30 of Acadia University Faculty Association (AUFA)’s negotiating team to end conciliation, the university’s administration remains committed to reaching a fair agreement.

Negotiating teams for the AUFA and the administration met yesterday with the help of a provincial conciliator.  Significant progress was made toward achieving a collective agreement before negotiations ended.

“Although Nova Scotians, including universities, are being told to brace for some very difficult decisions in the months ahead, we offered increases to both salaries and tenure stream complement,” said Dr. Peter Williams, spokesperson for the administration’s negotiating team.  “While we are disappointed that the union’s negotiating team asked the conciliator to file his report, we are ready to resume talks at a moment’s notice.”

Acadia’s administration offered a three-year proposal with annual salary increases of 1.5%, 1.5% and 1.75%.  The offer also included increases to faculty complement over the life of the agreement – taking the number of tenure track faculty members from 144 today to 152 by the end of the agreement, an increase of 5.6 per cent.

“It’s clear from the union that uncertainty associated with an impending vote on pension reform is a key stumbling block to reaching a new contract,” added Dr. Williams.  “We are hopeful that once a pension decision has been reached, we can secure a contract agreement that’s fair for our faculty, students and staff.”