Bargaining Info for Students

Q: What is happening with faculty bargaining right now?
A: The Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA) is currently in Stage 4: Protracted Negotiations. This means bargaining is still ongoing with no clear end date, and the previous faculty contract expired on June 30, 2024. The risk of job action (faculty strike or employer lockout) is currently low to moderate.

Q: What happens in Stage 4?
A: The focus is on continued negotiations, keeping faculty informed, and maintaining bargaining momentum. Faculty may be surveyed about their willingness to support job action if negotiations do not progress. Recently, at a meeting on January 31, the Membership passed a motion directing the Board to move to informal mediation if no progress is made in the February 24 bargaining meeting. For more information on bargaining stages, refer to the MRFA’s Collective Bargaining Index. 

Q: What is informal mediation, and has it happened yet?
A: Informal mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps both sides reach an agreement. It has not taken place yet. If no agreement is reached in informal mediation, the next stage (Formal Mediation) may be required. Formal mediation is required before job action can occur. 

Q: Could this affect my classes?
A: Not at this stage. If negotiations break down and job action is taken (faculty strike or employer lockout), classes and faculty support services may be impacted. The MRFA is committed to minimizing disruptions and wants to reach a fair collective agreement at the bargaining table. 

Q: How does this impact students?
A: Faculty working conditions directly affect the quality of your education. The MRFA is bargaining for improvements such as smaller class sizes, fair wages, and better job security for contract faculty, all of which impact student learning and faculty availability.

Q: How can students support faculty?
A: Students can support fair bargaining by

• Staying informed: Follow MRFA updates and attend campus discussions. If bargaining continues past formal mediation, the MRFA will keep students informed via Twitter and Instagram (Follow @MRUfaculty)
• Speaking up: Encourage MRU administration to negotiate fairly and support the federal Unlock Education campaign
• Engaging on social media: Share messages in support of faculty.

Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Visit the MRFA Website (this page) for updates.

• Connect with SAMRU. For information on how Collective Bargaining could impact students, consult the SAMRU FAQ. To provide feedback regarding student representation, please contact the SAMRU Representation Executive Council (REC) at representation@samru.ca.
• Visit the Unlock Education Website to learn more and support federal advocacy efforts
• View the Alberta Student Association Letter to the Government