Both staff and facilities union still in bargaining with the University
Two key locals of unionized employees at Mt. A are without a new ratified collective agreement as of October. Two locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are currently in bargaining with Mt. A. CUPE 3433, which represents 145 employees part of the Mount Allison Staff Association (MASA), and CUPE 2388, which represents 75 facilities workers, have been without a ratified collective agreement since their respective previous agreements expired at the end of June.
The MASA represents just under 150 employees, who work in “clerical, secretarial, and technical unit of Mount Allison,” says CUPE 3433 President K.C. Hingley. Members of the MASA work across the University in various roles such as: lab technicians, theatre technicians, administrative assistants, Indigenous student advisors, and sexual violence prevention officers. Members of CUPE 2388 work at the on-campus heating plant and are power engineers and HVAC technicians, among other roles.
Hingley says representatives have formally met with the University several times since bargaining began. Before 2025, CUPE 3433 collective agreements with the University have been reached by process of interest-based negotiations, which often seeks to achieve a ‘win-win’ resolution between both parties involved. This is not the case for current negotiations between the local and Mt. A, with “traditional positional bargaining” being used instead, says Hingley. Speaking on potential gains made for MASA local members through bargaining, Hingley said “I don’t think you have to be a super sleuth to discover that the cost of living has increased dramatically over the last number of years. Although we’ve been receiving wage increases over our last contract, they haven’t been enough to keep up with the cost of living. So that’s a serious concern for our members.” Hingley also said the local is seeking improved language in the collective agreement regarding internal mobility, which allows members the means to “change from one position to another and having preference on that.”
According to the University’s webpage, Mt. A received notice on April 3, 2025 from both locals to begin bargaining. The webpage was updated on Sept. 29, saying bargaining was continuing in good faith in both instances.
If bargaining were to fail between either local and Mt. A, the tangible possibility of strike action becomes realized. Hingley said “if the facilities union were to go down, they wouldn’t be able to heat the University. You would almost have to close the university if not definitely close it and run online classes.” Further, should CUPE 3433 enter strike action, Hingley said “faculty and other unions may decide to stand in solidarity [with the MASA], you could see classes cancelled.” Yet, Hingley remains hopeful on the outcome of bargaining in both instances. “We know why we’re here. We’re here for you.”
The University has a lengthy history of labour relations. Currently, there are various locals of unionized staff working on campus such as those working in faculty, staff, facilities, grounds, and food service. In 2014, the Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA) went on a three week strike, resulting in lost class time and maintained full-semester tuition fees. In 2020, MAFA went on strike for 26 days from January to February, disrupting classes for students while members sought increased part-time wages and job protections. Most recently in 2024, CUPE Local 1440 experienced sudden job losses and contract renegotiation as Mt. A switched procurement from Amarak to Chartwells for on-campus dining services.
Those interested in further updates from the University regarding the progress of bargaining may consult their webpage: https://mta.ca/about/leadership-and-governance/labour-relations-mount-allison