NSCAD is committed to negotiating collective agreements that are fair to our employees and support the long-term sustainability and success of NSCAD. On this page, we will provide you with accurate, timely, and factual updates as negotiations proceed.
CUPE Local 3912 represents Teaching Assistants (TA), Research Assistants (RA) and our Individual Course Assignment Instructors (ICA). NSCAD’s Regular Part Time Faculty fall under the FUNSCAD Unit I collective agreement.
In fall 2025:
ICA – 24 employees
RA – 22 employees
TA – 24 employees
For the Employer – Jennifer Lewis, Director Human Resources, Kyla Mallett, VPAR, Jacqueline Warwick, Dean, Academic, Daniel Chisholm, HR Advisor
For CUPE – Mark Cunningham, CUPE National Representative, Lachlan Sheldrick, ICA, Andrew Maize, ICA, Natalie Goulet, ICA
Bargaining began in September of 2024. 23 meetings were scheduled, and 15 bargaining sessions took place: CUPE cancelled 7 meetings, NSCAD cancelled 1 meeting.
On November 26th, CUPE indicated their intent to file for conciliation services in the coming days.
Conciliation is neutral third-party intervention in collective bargaining. Nova Scotia’s Trade Union Act requires it if the union and employer can’t reach a tentative agreement independently. It’s an opportunity for the parties to revisit outstanding issues in a different forum, explore alternative solutions, and avoid labour disruption.
The conciliator’s role is to help employers and unions reach a collective agreement. They assist the parties in finding acceptable solutions but don’t have the power to impose a settlement. They promote a climate of non-adversarial dispute resolution, working with both parties to understand and resolve outstanding issues.
If a tentative agreement is reached, the parties engage in their usual procedures for ratification.
If a tentative agreement is not reached, the Conciliator will declare an impasse and file a confidential report with the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. This report will be filed as soon as is practicable in the circumstances and a 14-day cooling-off period begins at 12:01 a.m. the following day. The Conciliator normally brings the parties together in a further attempt to reach agreement and avoid a work stoppage during this time.
Yes, all TAs, RAs and ICAs will be expected to join the picket line.
No, if a strike vote passes you will not get paid by NSCAD during the strike.
Updates will be sent via email to all NSCAD students and employees, as well as posted on the University’s Labour Relations website (this page) with alerts and links shared on social media when appropriate.
Picket lines are anticipated to be near (but not on) university property. The purpose of a picket line is for picketers to communicate their views. They have the right to do this and they will do it by carrying signs and by speaking to people entering or leaving the property.
As a student or non-striking employee or community member, you have the right to cross a picket line. It is unlikely that you will have any difficulty crossing a picket line; we expect that all picket line interactions will be safe and respectful. You should expect that a picket line will result in a brief delay coming and going from campus.
Here are some tips for safely crossing a picket line:
Have a question not answered here? Please send it to humanresources@nscad.ca
No, in the event of a CUPE strike, only Individual Course Assignment Instructors will be on strike. Full time Faculty, Limited Term Faculty and Regular Part Time Faculty will not be on strike, and courses taught by them will continue as scheduled.
In fall of 2025 16% of courses were taught by ICAs
In winter 2026 we expect 18% of courses to be taught by ICAs
Yes, for class and non-CUPE work. Only your TA and RA work will be disrupted as that is CUPE work.
In the event of a strike, you will be provided with a list of impacted classes.
The university will give at least 24 hours’ notice before classes resume.
It depends. Most work placements will continue as scheduled. That said, some placements may be affected by a CUPE strike.
Yes. Thesis and Masters’ project supervision, directed study, independent study, challenge examinations and the supervision of student teaching that are carried out by regular faculty that is not CUPE bargaining unit work will continue.
Yes. Student access to course Brightspace sites will be uninterrupted.
In the event of a strike, tests, midterms, and other assessments scheduled in suspended courses will not occur. They may be rescheduled after the strike ends.
All student services, including the University Library and Office of Student Experience are available.
Students are encouraged to carry on with their assignments, readings, and other academic work as far as is possible. You are not required to complete assignments in classes suspended during a strike, but assignments and assessments will continue in classes taught by non-CUPE members.
Striking ICAs will continue to have access to their NSCAD email, but it is not expected that they will be responding to student messages during the strike.
It is too soon to determine how we will manage this. That will depend on the duration of the strike and the decisions of the University Senate. We will provide an update as soon as more is known.
The university will explore a variety of options to support students in completing the semester. Although we cannot guarantee any outcome at this moment, that is the university’s priority. The University Senate will address these questions in a way that aligns with its policy on Academic Implications of a Significant Disruption. It’s of note that a semester has never been lost to a strike at a Canadian university.
NSCAD students are reminded of the following:
OSE counselling – counsellor@nscad.ca
HealthyMindsNS: A site from the government of Nova Scotia that provides online mental health resources for post-secondary students.
We will provide you with as much information as possible, as it becomes available. We will update this webpage Labour Relations – NSCAD with all new developments. Any updates affecting students will be communicated to you directly via your NSCAD student email account. We will also post updates on the University’s social media accounts.
Have a question we haven't answered here? Please send it to humanresources@nscad.ca.
In the event of a strike, NSCAD will provide an update on strike protocols on the website at that time.
CUPE members who do not have other jobs on campus will not have access to most campus services during a strike. .
Yes. CUPE Local 3912 members who hold additional roles at NSCAD outside of their part-time teaching contracts are expected to continue fulfilling those responsibilities as usual, including maintaining their regular hours, work locations, and duties.
No. During a strike, CUPE Local 3912 members will not be paid by the university for their CUPE-related work. Members of CUPE Local 3912 who are employed by NSCAD in a non-CUPE capacity will continue to be compensated for their non-CUPE work.
Yes. Supervision of thesis projects, master’s projects, directed/independent study, challenge examinations, and student teaching by CUPE members is not considered bargaining work per the current collective agreement and will therefore continue.
Have a question not answered here? Please send it to humanresources@nscad.ca.
All non-CUPE NSCAD employees must report to work as usual. However, if you are in another union, check your collective agreement provisions regarding picket lines.
Classes that are not suspended are expected to continue in their scheduled format.
You can join your colleagues on a picket line provided you’re doing so during your break times only (i.e. not during your regular working hours).
Employees seeking support are encouraged to engage the Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis line at 1-888-429-8167 (toll free) available to help 24/7.
Yes. Supervision of thesis projects, master’s projects, directed/independent study, challenge examinations, and student teaching by CUPE members is not considered bargaining work per the current collective agreement and will therefore continue.
Have a question not answered here? Please speak to your supervisor, department Chair, Dean, Academic or Director, Human Resources.
Yes. The University is open, with services operating as usual.
Yes. All campus services will remain operational, though you should expect delays accessing campus due to picketing during any strike action.
At this time, yes. If strike action takes place and an event is affected, an update will be shared broadly at that time. You can also contact organizers directly for updates.
This page NSCAD Labour Relations will give you the most recent and comprehensive bargaining updates.
Have a question not answered here? Please send it to humanresources@nscad.ca.
