UPEI Faculty Association members picketing outside of the university entrance on the first day of strike on Mar. 20, 2023.
By Pratik Bhattarai
Mar. 21, 2023.
The UPEI Faculty Association (F.A.) has gone on strike on Mar. 20.
The decision to go on a strike comes after multiple failed negotiations between the F.A. and the administration.
“There has never been good faith negotiation from the administration,” said F.A. President Michael Arfken.
“We have no other avenue other than strike, if the administration is not willing to sit on the table,” he added.
Eighty-three per cent of the association, which represents more than 400 members, voted in favour of a strike in February.
The F.A.’s demands include: a better contract, better work environment, smaller classrooms, more faculty and less workload.
The administration stated in a news release that the students’ tuition will increase if the F.A.’s demands are met and it has already proposed a four per cent tuition increase. The administration declined an invitation for an interview.
The F.A. said that in the last decade, enrolment has increased 26 per cent and tuition has increased 30 per cent, however the faculty numbers have decreased by one per cent.
“The university is not running on a loss and students should not have to pay out of their pockets,” Arfken added.
The announcement of a strike has left students with many complications regarding classes and exams.
“We don’t want to see a strike and we want both sides to come to an agreement,” said UPEI Student Union President Adam MacKenzie.
Members of the F.A. said strikes aren’t pleasant, but their demands will help members and students.
“We have classes and labs where heating does not work. It is freezing cold in the winter and scorching hot in the summer,” said Malcolm Murray, Professor of Philosophy and F.A. Member.
“The demands are not just for better contracts, but also for better infrastructures for students and their future,” Murray added.
The strike is expected to continue until an agreement is reached.
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