Dalhousie Faculty Association Lockout
Student Information and FAQ’s

DSU Council Update:

Last night, the DSU council voted to affirm its support for DFA members, reflecting that the strength of the university community depends on the well-being of both students and faculty.

We are strongly calling for the Board to return to the bargaining table and engage in good faith to reach a fair deal with faculty. Students, faculty, and staff are essential to the functioning of Dalhousie, and decisions that destabilize this community threaten the quality of education and well-being of students.  

We, as students, know that an injury to our faculty is an injury to us all. Their fight is our fight, and we proudly stand in solidarity with the DFA.

 Stay tuned for more DSU-led advocacy efforts and action-items!

Strike vs. Lockout – What’s the difference? 

Strike: Faculty decide not to work to push for a fair deal. It’s a collective action that gives employees leverage when negotiations stall, and it’s one of the most powerful tools unions have to stand up for their members. The DFA has stated they will not initiate a strike in August. 

Lockout: When an employer (Dal) shuts workers out by stopping them from doing their jobs, usually to pressure them into accepting the employer’s terms in negotiations. It’s the employer’s version of a strike, but the power move comes from the administration, not the workers. 

Analogy: Think of it like a game. In a strike, the players put down their bats and refuse to play until the rules are fair. In a lockout, the stadium locks the gates and won’t let the players in until they agree to their rules. 

Both can disrupt classes and have the same result – the difference is who makes the first move. In either case, both parties have to give a 48-hour notice before taking job action. 

Your Student Union is here for you. 

At the DSU, our top priority is making sure students’ voices are heard and protected – especially right now. 

DSU Statement

The Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) is deeply concerned by Dalhousie University’s decision to impose a lockout of its faculty. This unprecedented action at a U15 university undermines students’ education and well-being, placing them in the middle of a labour dispute not of their making. 

Students deserve stability, access to their classes, and confidence that their investment in their education is respected. A lockout destabilizes the semester ahead, creates unnecessary uncertainty, and damages the trust between the University, its faculty, and its students. 

We urge the University to end the lockout immediately and return to good-faith bargaining with the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA). A negotiated settlement, not a lockout, is the only path that prioritizes students and ensures a fair, sustainable resolution. 

The DSU will continue to advocate for students, and we urge both parties to return to negotiations and reach a fair agreement without sacrificing the academic experience of the Dalhousie community. 

Here’s what we’ve been doing: 

• Meeting and being regular communication with both the DFA and University administration to push for student needs to be front and centre in all conversations. 

• Pushing for a special Senate meeting before any possible labour disruption, so we can pass academic protections for students who choose to honour picket lines. 

• Sending a letter to Dal President Kim Brooks urging the Board of Governors to bargain in good faith and avoid a University-initiated lockout. 

• Planning and preparing so that if a labour disruption happens, we’re ready to advocate for you every step of the way.

We’re listening. We’re working. We’ve got your back. 

Got questions? take a look below at our FAQ’s
or reach out to us if you don’t see your question!

F.A.Q’S