ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ

Student update: Lockout notice issued to DFA faculty for Wednesday, August 20

Monday, August 18, 2025

Hello,

As we approach the start of the academic year, I want to update you on an important development in our labour negotiations with the ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ Faculty Association (DFA) that have been ongoing since May 2025. The University has filed a notice of intent to lock out members of the DFA at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, unless a tentative collective agreement is reached before then.

If a lockout occurs, it would have a similar effect to a strike. Classes taught by DFA faculty would be suspended until the labour disruption is over. You can visit the Labour Relations website to find out more about what would happen in a lockout.

Why this may happen

Like most Canadian universities, ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ is facing significant financial challenges as enrolment patterns shift. These realities have shaped our negotiations with the DFA. The University is committed to offering what we can to increase compensation for faculty while, at the same time, protecting core academic activity and minimizing further significant layoffs in the years ahead.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to come to terms on a new collective agreement, and the DFA leadership have been delaying our efforts to resolve this matter before the fall term starts. The impasse is significant enough that a labour disruption has become inevitable and, if so, it is better for ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ — and most of all, our students — that one happens now, in August, instead of commencing after fall term classes begin in September.

What you can expect

While it is possible a lockout can still be averted, we are planning as though it will happen on Wednesday. We have made this decision to minimize the impact on your studies as much as we can, but there will still be consequences if a lockout occurs.

• Summer courses and grades:  Every effort will be made to ensure you can complete your courses once a lockout concludes and that your degree progress is not delayed. We have made contingency plans for courses that are not complete, for grades that have not been entered by August 31, and for thesis defenses. More information will be forthcoming from your Faculties.
• New students: Campus services remain open, residences are set to welcome you, and Orientation Week activities will proceed as planned.
• Fall term:  If a lockout is resolved before fall classes begin, the term will proceed normally. If it appears disruption of fall classes is likely, we will notify you about which courses will go ahead and which will be suspended until a stoppage is resolved. Please expect to arrive on campus as you’d planned, as not only will some classes proceed but once a resolution is reached we will work as quickly as possible to resume all course delivery.

I am sure you have questions. You can find answers to many of them in the FAQs on our Labour Relations website. More details will be forthcoming as we work through the impacts of the lockout, and you can expect to hear more from us in the days ahead through your dal.ca email, in Brightspace, and other university channels.

Your education and success remain our highest priority. We recognize how unsettling this uncertainty can be, and we are committed to resolving this situation as swiftly as possible.

Kim

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Kim Brooks (she/her)
President and Vice-Chancellor

ÑÇÖÞ91ÊÓƵ University
president@dal.ca