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, November 13, 2025
Saint Mary's University is pleased to announce that a tentative collective agreement has been reached with CUPE Local 3912, representing part-time faculty, following a return to the bargaining table through the conciliation process on November 12.
This tentative agreement is subject to the ratification process by both the CUPE Local 3912 membership and the university’s Board of Governors. Details of the agreement will remain confidential until the ratification process is complete.
The university is planning all courses and labs to resume on Monday, November 17. This is subject to CUPE’s ratification vote, the results of which will be confirmed on or before November 16. The university will provide an update on the labour relations website and by email once confirmation has been received, on or before November 16.
Students should monitor Brightspace and their SMU email accounts, where further information regarding the resumption of classes and exams will be shared.
Senate will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, November 19, to develop any academic guidance regarding paused classes and will communicate any further directions to the university community by no later than November 20.
The university extends its sincere appreciation to both negotiating teams and the conciliator for their dedicated work to reach this positive outcome. We will provide a further update once the ratification process has concluded.
Shannon Dea, PhDProvost and Vice-President, Academic and Research