This section of the Saint Mary's University website is dedicated to updates on labour relations between the university and its bargaining units.
Saint Mary's University provides an excellent environment for research, teaching and learning, and working for our faculty, students and staff. The university administration understands that faculty and staff are critical pillars of the university and vital to our mission and ability to create, share, and disseminate knowledge to the world.
Saint Mary's is committed to providing competitive terms and compensation for faculty and staff while ensuring the institution's sustainability. The university administration respects the collective bargaining process and is committed to coming to timely agreements.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
NSGEU Local 179 (“NSGEU”) provided Saint Mary’s University notice to bargain on May 1, 2025. NSGEU confirmed bargaining dates in March 2026. Since that time, the parties have held six bargaining sessions and tentatively agreed on numerous articles.
In late July 2026, NSGEU provided notice that the parties were at an impasse and filed for conciliation. A Conciliation Officer has since been appointed by the Nova Scotia Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, and is awaiting confirmation of proposed conciliation dates from NSGEU. The university looks forward to the conciliation process and working towards a resolution.