Latest updates
DFA lockout information and updates
The latest
September 10 updates
- Message from President Brooks:聽Board shares new offer with DFA, reaffirms commitment to resolving labour disruption
- Student update: Possible adjustments to Fall term dates
Addressing the arena, surplus and more
Events and programming
Other info
- Update on King's courses, Sept 12:聽
- List of proceeding courses Fall 2025
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the lockout
Overview
A labour disruption involving faculty in the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) has been underway since a lockout of DFA members began on August 20.聽
At this time, most fall term courses are not proceeding as planned聽while the labour disruption continues. For the list of courses that are proceeding, please visit our Course Information website.
On September 8 and 9, nearly 17 hours of bargaining took place between the teams representing the Dalhousie Board of Governors and the Dalhousie Faculty Association. These negotiations concluded without an agreement. At the request of the conciliator, both sides agreed not to share any of the discussions that took place at our conciliation sessions.
On September 10,聽the Board provided the DFA leadership with a new offer for its bargaining team to consider and encouraged them to bring it to the DFA membership. Read more.
The DFA represents full-time faculty, instructors, librarians, and counselors at Dalhousie.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
These FAQs are a growing resource. Additional questions and answers will be added regularly.
Updated September 12, 2025
Students
Classes, courses and programs
| How much notice will be given to students about returning to class after the lockout ends? | After a labour disruption, the start of classes is negotiated as part of a return-to-work agreement. We will notify students as soon as possible when we know the date. |
| Will there be changes to academic term dates and deadlines? | From the September 10 update to students: The date at which suspended Fall term courses would resume will be determined once an agreement has been reached. We will share that date as soon as it is available. The add/drop date and the tuition and fee deadline for fall term will be extended. These dates typically fall 10 instruction days after classes begin. Honours application deadlines will extend at least 10 days after classes begin. The withdrawal dates (with and without a 鈥淲鈥�) will also be extended. Potential changes to Fall break (November 10-14) will be determined once the disruption is resolved and may vary depending on program requirements. The December study days (days between end of Fall classes and start of December exam period) may be adjusted. The December exam schedule may be adjusted and/or extended鈥� this will be communicated well in advance. |
| Will the fall study break (November 10 to 14) be affected? | Potential changes to Fall break (November 10-14) will be determined once the disruption is resolved and may vary depending on program requirements. Given the duration of the labour disruption, some programs/faculties may need to cancel the fall break to ensure course delivery can be completed for the term. (The Remembrance Day holiday would remain a day off.) We advise maintaining flexibility with travel plans in case adjustments to the break are made. Any updates on the fall break will be determined once the disruption is resolved, and updates will be shared with students as they become available. |
| Will the academic term be extended due to the lockout? | It is extremely rare for a university to extend the term, and Senate will only be asked to do so if it is absolutely necessary. All options to address lost class time within the current duration of the term would be explored first. |
| What is happening with courses at the University of King's College? | All classes at King鈥檚 will resume on Monday, September 15 with a small number of exceptions. . |
| Do I still have access to Brightspace? | Yes, students continue to have access to Brightspace. Effective September 10, DFA faculty members鈥� access has been restored, however they continue to be in a labour disruption and they are not to be working during this period. Some of your courses may not appear in your Brightspace if they were not activated prior to the lockout; this will be resolved after the labour disruption is resolved. |
| What classes are cancelled by the lockout? | Dalhousie classes taught by DFA faculty are suspended for the duration of the labour disruption. This impacts most, but not all, classes at Dalhousie. Many classes taught by non-DFA faculty are continuing. |
Do online and off-campus classes still take place? |
Whether the course is in person, online, or off-campus, all classes taught by DFA members are suspended. |
When will I receive my summer course final grades? |
Every effort will be made to ensure your degree progress is not delayed. If you took a summer course and do not yet have your final grades, you have been assessed a 鈥減ending鈥� grade. This is a temporary status on your student record that will be replaced with your actual grade once the disruption is resolved. |
| Can professors hold their own classes off-campus during a lockout? | No. Professors cannot hold their own classes during a labour disruption. If your professor or TA organizes any informal off-campus instruction during a lockout, you are under no obligation to attend and you cannot be evaluated on the material unless it is covered following the lockout. University liability insurance would not apply to unauthorized off-campus instruction. |
| Are TAs, Markers and/or Demonstrators still working? | Yes. Part-time instructors, TAs, Markers and Demonstrators are CUPE Members continue to work, where possible. |
| Are thesis defenses and comprehensive and proposal examinations held during a DFA lockout? | No. All graduate thesis defenses, and comprehensive and proposal exams are paused. Defenses will be rescheduled and your program timeline may be adjusted once the labour disruption is resolved, depending on need. If you have not been in contact with your faculty about the defense postponement and have questions, please reach out to graduate.studies@dal.ca |
| Where do I go if I have questions or concerns about my accommodations plan? | Please contact the Student Accessibility Centre team with any questions. |
| Can I still get academic transcripts if required? | Yes, the Registrar鈥檚 Office remains open. |
University services (residence, extracurriculars, etc.)
Is the university still open during the lockout? |
Yes, campus services remain open and staffed. That includes spaces such as:
|
| Are there activities being planned since most courses are not happening? | The university is offering enhanced programming focused on supporting students in building connections on campus, integrating into our community, and building skills that will support their personal, academic and career success. We will communicate additional programming opportunities to students on a rolling basis for the duration of the labour disruption. The latest update will be available at the top of this page. |
Are the libraries open? |
Yes, all libraries remain open. |
| Are counselling and mental health services affected by the lockout? | Core services, complemented by online mental health supports, remain available 鈥� though some services may be more limited than usual. For more information, visit Dalhousie Student Health and Wellness. |
Are varsity and recreational athletics still taking place? Are Dalplex, Sexton Gym and Langille Athletic Centre open? |
Yes, varsity and recreational/intramural athletics continue as normal. Dalplex, Sexton Gym, and the Langille Centre are open for normal hours. |
Tuition and fees, scholarships, and important dates
Do I still pay tuition and fees? |
The of September 16 to add/drop courses, pay fees and tuition, apply for an honours program, and change from Dalhousie to King鈥檚 (or vice versa) will be extended. These dates typically fall 10 instruction days after classes begin. Read more about possible adjustments to Fall term dates. |
Is my scholarship affected by the lockout? |
No, scholarships and financial aid will not be affected and will proceed as normal. |
| Will there be a refund for suspended classes? | Dalhousie will engage in all efforts to ensure students can fulfill their academic requirements within the term, as to not affect degree progression. Refunds will not be offered when academic requirements for the term can be preserved and completed. |
| Will there be changes to the add/drop date and other academic deadlines? | From the September 10 update to students: The date at which suspended Fall term courses would resume will be determined once an agreement has been reached. We will share that date as soon as it is available. The add/drop date and the tuition and fee deadline for fall term will be extended. These dates typically fall 10 instruction days after classes begin. Honours application deadlines will extend at least 10 days after classes begin. The withdrawal dates (with and without a 鈥淲鈥�) will also be extended. Potential changes to Fall break (November 10-14) will be determined once the disruption is resolved and may vary depending on program requirements. The December study days (days between end of Fall classes and start of December exam period) may be adjusted. The December exam schedule may be adjusted and/or extended鈥� this will be communicated well in advance. application deadlines will extend at least 10 days after classes begin.resolved and may vary depending on program requirements. |
| Will the delay to fall term classes my study permit? | A short-term labour disruption will generally not affect your study permit or immigration status, as long as you continue to remain enrolled on a full-time basis (or part-time if in you are in your final semester of studies). International students seeking to apply for a PGWP may be impacted if there are delays relating to receiving final grades from summer term and/or delays in having their degree audit completed by the faculty/department. Please contact the International Centre if you have questions or concerns. |
International students
| Will the delay to the start of term affect my study permit? | A short-term labour disruption will generally not affect your study permit or immigration status, as long as you continue to remain enrolled on a full-time basis (or part-time if in you are in your final semester of studies). International students seeking to apply for a PGWP may be impacted if there are delays relating to receiving final grades from summer term and/or delays in having their degree audit completed by the faculty/department. Please contact the International Centre if you have questions or concerns. |
Are strikes/lockouts legal in Canada? |
Yes, strikes and lockouts are legal in Canada. If DFA members are picketing outside of a building you need to access for classes, they may carry signs stating the nature of their dispute, and they may ask you to honour their picket lines, but they have no right to physically block you from entering campus or to threaten you to enforce their requests. Therefore, you are entitled to enter the university鈥檚 buildings and to access services, attend any classes that are continuing, or conduct your work. |
Graduate studies and student research
| What happens if I am unable to contact with my thesis advisor or graduate supervisor due to the lockout? | Please contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies for support at graduate.studies@dal.ca or contact your program's graduate administrator. |
Are graduate or undergraduate student researchers expected to continue research activities? Do students continue to have access to facilities? |
Research work by students can continue if there is appropriate supervision and safety planning. Stipends will continue. |
Jobs, co-ops, and internships
Are practicums, co-op placements, clinical and field work placements, and internships continuing? |
Co-op terms and internships will proceed as planned. If specific scenarios are affected, students will be contacted by their co-op office, department/faculty, or supervisor. |
| I have a job on campus. Does it it continue during the lockout? | In most cases, yes. Given that most university services are open, students employed by the university would continue with their regular hours. Check with your supervisor for more information. |
| My job supervisor normally fills out my timesheets. What should I do? | If your employment contract requires that you fill out weekly timesheets of your hours worked, you should connect directly with your supervisor. Your supervisor can let you know whether you can continue your work during a period of labour disruption. |
Teaching/lab assistants, markers, demonstrators
Are teaching/lab assistants, demonstrators, and markers affected by a DFA lockout? |
Teaching/lab assistants, markers, and demonstrators can continue to work during a DFA lockout, but the nature of the work may change, as set out below. |
| Will I be working as a TA, lab assistant, or marker during the labour disruption? | It depends on the course and instructor. If your course instructor is a DFA member, their class are suspended during the labour disruption. However, classes taught by non-DFA faculty (CUPE, non-union faculty, etc.) would, in most cases, continue, and you would carry out your duties as usual for those courses.鈥� |
| Do teaching/lab assistants, demonstrators, and markers get paid if their course is affected by the labour disruption? | If the course is suspended, TA, lab assistant and demonstrator work will also be paused. While you can expect to be paid the full value of your contract, your work and your pay may be delayed. |
| Do I still have access to email and Brightspace? | Yes. Teaching/lab assistants, and markers will continue to have access to their dal.ca email and Brightspace. |
| What happens to my scheduled lab sessions if the course instructor is a DFA member? | Lab sessions for courses taught by DFA members are suspended. Your course instructor will let you know how the course will proceed after the labour disruption has concluded. |
| As a teaching/lab assistant, can I hold an exam? | No. Teaching/lab assistants cannot develop and/or hold exams during a labour disruption. |
| If my course instructor is locked out, can a teaching/lab assistant, demonstrator, or marker teach in their place, or run off-campus sessions for their class? | No. During a labour disruption, DFA faculty cannot hold their own classes, whether on or off campus, and no one can take over the classes for them. If your course instructor is a DFA member and their class is suspended, you should not organize or deliver course-related instruction for that class. You may only continue with work already assigned to you as a teaching/lab assistant, demonstrator, or marker. If you are asked to organize or deliver course-related instruction, the students in the course would be under no obligation to attend, and any material covered could not be evaluated unless it is later addressed in class after the strike. In addition, university liability insurance would not apply to unauthorized off-campus instruction. If put in this sort of situation, reach out to the program coordinator or equivalent academic leader within the School/Faculty. |
| As a TA, can I communicate with students while the instructor is participating in a labour disruption? | Yes, TAs can communicate with students if the course instructor is part of a labour disruption. What TAs cannot do is teach new content and/or hold classes. |
Picket lines
How do I manage crossing a picket line? |
Picketers may carry signs stating the nature of their dispute, and they may ask you to honour their picket lines, but they have no right to physically block you or to threaten you to enforce their requests. Therefore, you are entitled to enter the university鈥檚 buildings and to access campus services, conduct work, or attend any classes that may be continuing. |
Faculty and staff
DFA members
| What is return-to-work protocol and what does it cover? | A return-to-work protocol is a formal negotiated agreement between the parties that sets the terms of the employees鈥� return, detailing how employees will resume work after a labour disruption (strike or lockout), covering issues like timelines and the general process for reintegrating into the workplace to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. At this stage in the labour disruption, it鈥檚 difficult to predict the timelines for DFA members return to work but both parties are committed to resolving the agreement and returning to work as soon as possible. |
Do DFA members have access to campus in the lockout? |
No, except as agreed under Article 34 of the Collective Agreement, in the case of public facilities (noted below). |
| Do DFA members have access to their Dalhousie email, as well as digital services such as Brightspace, myDal, OneDrive, etc.? | Effective September 10, DFA members鈥� access has been restored to their email and digital services. However, the lockout and defensive strike remain and faculty are not permitted to work. Our intention is to ensure we鈥檝e done what we can to facilitate a quick return when a deal is reached. |
| Do DFA members have access to their campus mail? | No. Faculty should re-direct any personal mail that they are expecting. |
Do DFA members have access to fitness facilities, the University Children鈥檚 Centre, the Dalhousie Arts Centre, public events on campus, etc.? |
Yes. DFA members with a fitness membership, children at the University Children鈥檚 Centre, tickets to an event at the Dal Arts Centre, or who wish to attend other regular public events on campus would be permitted as any other member of the public would be. |
| Can DFA members still continue to work in other capacities or continue their research in a lockout? | No except as agreed under Article 34 of the Collective Agreement. DFA members will not have access to research facilities, offices and other spaces to continue with their research activities. DFA members who wish research activities to continue in their laboratory or research space in their absence must complete the L. |
| What happens to my benefits during a lockout? | Benefits continue and are paid by the DFA, both employee and employer portions. |
| What happens to my pension? | The Income Tax Act does not deem periods of labour disruption as pensionable service. |
| Will faculty on leave continue to be paid? What about sabbaticals? | Bargaining unit members on sick leave, pregnancy or parental leave at the time of a lockout will not be considered part of the lockout and will continue to receive pay and benefits. DFA members will be permitted to start pregnancy and parental leave during the lockout period. Requests for sick leave will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Faculty on sabbatical will be considered part of any lockout. |
| Can DFA members take paid vacation during a labour disruption? | DFA members will not be able to take their regular paid vacation during a labour disruption. DFA members should reach out to DFA to discuss how to manage any planned vacation time. |
| What happens to applications for reappointment, tenure, etc? | The process would halt for the duration of a lockout. Application deadlines will be extended to account for any periods of labour disruption. |
| Does strike time accrue as credit towards sabbatical, etc? | This would be determined as part of the back-to-work protocol at the end of a lockout. |
| Can I still use my parking pass during a labour disruption? | DFA members will not be able to log into the HotSpot purchasing site during a lockout. Passes will be available for purchase once a lockout concludes. |
| Would I still have access to my Purchasing Card (PCard?) | No, faculty will not have access to P-Cards. All DFA P-Cards will temporarily have their credit limit reduced to $1 so no spending can take place. |
Can DFA members incur travel expenses or purchases during a lockout? |
No. Travel and expense claims would not be reimbursed for travel or expenses incurred during a lockout. |
What if DFA members need to cancel pre-existing work travel plans? |
Travelers should make all reasonable attempts to avoid or reduce non-reimbursable travel costs in the event work travel plans are disrupted due a lockout. Reimbursement will be at the discretion of the approvers in instances where non-refundable reservations were cancelled. |
| Can DFA members write reference letters for students during a lockout? | This is at the discretion of individual faculty members. |
| As a DFA member, can I still submit tuition waivers? | Fall waivers for DFA members and their dependants will not be sent to Student Accounts/FOLCD for processing. Once the labour disruption has been resolved, a decision will be made by the University on how to best handle fall tuition waivers. |
Other faculty and staff
Are members of other unions or employee groups be affected by the lockout? |
No. All other employees (staff and faculty) are required to continue to work as usual.
|
| Am I required and/or allowed to cross a picket line? | Yes. You have a right to cross a picket line, and if you are employed at Dalhousie in a non-DFA position (including Grant-Paid employees, members of CUPE, NSGEU, PSAC bargaining units, as well as members of the DPMG, senior administration, and other non-unionized employees) you are required to attend work as usual which may involve crossing a picket line. In cases where employees are able to work remotely, alternate arrangements may be made at the discretion of your supervisor If you have concerns, please speak with your supervisor. |
| How do I manage crossing a picket line? | Picketers may carry signs stating the nature of their dispute, and they may ask you to honour their picket lines, but they have no right to physically block you or to threaten you to enforce their requests. Therefore, you are entitled to enter the university鈥檚 buildings to access campus services or conduct your work. For more information, review the on myDal. |
| Am I allowed to march on the picket line in support of the DFA? | Yes, but non-DFA employees can only participate outside of their working hours |
| I am a course instructor but not a DFA member. Do my classes continue during a DFA lockout? | In most cases, classes taught by non-DFA faculty (non-union faculty, CUPE, part-time faculty, etc.) are continuing. List of proceeding courses for Fall 2025. |
Research
Research FAQs
Do DFA members have access to research facilities, services, or funds during the lockout? |
No, except as agreed under Article 34 of the Collective Agreement. Note that DFA researchers must develop contingency plans for experiments or lab work involving animals that may be impacted by restricted access to facilities during a labour disruption, by completing . This includes animals in breeding colonies and animals currently enrolled in experiments. For further information about animal care during a labour disruption, . |
| Will non-DFA researchers and student researchers continue to have access to facilities? What if they need to purchase supplies, or fill out forms related to pay? | Non-DFA researchers and students continue to have access to research facilities. So that students and other research employees could continue with their work, DFA members are encouraged to designate signing authority on research accounts. DFA members who wish research activities to continue in their laboratory or research space in their absence must complete the . |
| Can research activities continue in a lab or research space if the DFA member responsible does not complete the Laboratory Safety Plan Template for Faculty Absence During a Labour Disruption? | No. Research may only continue if the is completed and submitted before the disruption. If research is suspended, the should be completed to ensure safety. If neither is done, labs could be locked or access restricted to prevent unsupervised activities, at the discretion of the Dean. |
| Will grant applications be impacted? | DFA members are not be able to access Legal Counsel鈥檚 Office or Research Services during any period of labour disruption. |
| Can grant-paid students and employees continue research during a DFA lockout? | Yes, if there is appropriate supervision and safety planning, research work by non-DFA employees can continue. Research labs should also explore whether there is work that can be done remotely by grant-paid employees and students. DFA members who wish research activities to continue in their laboratory or research space in their absence must complete the . |
| Do grant paid employees and students continue to be paid? | Monthly grant-paid employees will continue to be paid. During any labour disruption, DFA faculty members will not be able to sign off on timesheets. If there is a non-DFA members with grant signing authority to approve timesheets, this work can continue. |
| I plan to temporarily suspend research activities in the laboratory. What should I do? | If you're planning to pause research activities, please refer to the . It provides guidance on how to safely secure your lab, including shutting down equipment properly, storing chemicals safely, and other important steps to leave the lab in a safe condition during the pause. |
| Will the Office of Research Services alter its usual timelines? | ORS is respecting normal timelines and procedures for all funding applications. Information on procedures, including internal deadlines, are linked . |
| Will DFA members be notified of awards or awards processes? | There would be no communication between Research Services staff and DFA members during a labour disruption. |
| Are research chairs (such as Canada Research Chairs) paid during a strike? | No. The balance of the funding will be used in accordance with the terms of the Chairship. |
| Can DFA members with appointments at affiliated hospitals (e.g., Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health) continue their research at those hospitals during a labour disruption? | DFA members are advised to consult directly with the DFA for guidance regarding the continuation of research activities at affiliated hospitals during a labour disruption. |
| Will Research Services continue work on contracts / IP / partner engagement during a lockout? | Research Services would only continue work that can be done without interaction with DFA members. There would be no communication or interaction between DFA members and Research Services staff during a labour disruption. |
| Will ORS submit research applications to Agencies that use online portals to receive funding applications (e.g., Tri-Agency) during a labour disruption? | Yes 鈥� provided the following conditions are met. During a labour disruption, the Office of Research Services (ORS) will review and submit applications through agency portals only if:
Important notes:
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| Will human research ethics reviews be conducted during a labour disruption involving DFA members? | No. Dalhousie鈥檚 research ethics boards will not be duly constituted during a labour disruption due to the DFA member complement on the boards. Further information about research involving humans during a labour disruption is provided . |
| Will DFA members have access to ROMEO, including ROMEO checklists, during a labour disruption? | Effective September 10, DFA members鈥� access has been restored to their email and digital services, including ROMEO. However, the lockout and defensive strike remain and faculty are not permitted to work. DFA members remain unable to access Legal Counsel鈥檚 Office or Research Services during any period of labour disruption. Our intention is to ensure we鈥檝e done what we can to facilitate a quick return when a deal is reached. |