All classes are being cancelled at Capilano University Wednesday morning, as the faculty association announced its 640 members would walk off the job and set up picket lines starting at 7 a.m.
The news came late Tuesday night, after the two sides met for mediated talks Tuesday afternoon.
The university sent out email notices to students around 10 p.m. telling them all classes are cancelled until further notice.
News of a strike comes with just three days left of regular classes.
A university spokeswoman said there’s no information yet on how long a strike may last or if it could affect final exams, scheduled to start next week.
A statement sent to students Tuesday evening advised that the university is “developing contingency measures in order to ensure students can successfully complete their courses and programs, keeping as close to the original schedule as is feasible.”
At a rally held at the university earlier Tuesday, Brent Calvert, president of the Capilano Faculty Association, said the labour dispute is not about wages.
Key issues in the dispute include the working conditions for “non-regular” professors — teachers who are paid less than regular professors, don’t receive benefits and have little job security. Calvert said over 40 per cent of faculty at the university are “non-regular” teaching staff.
Another issue is the faculty’s request that teaching staff have a say in course cancellations that will result in layoffs.
Calvert acknowledged reaction to a possible strike has been “mixed” among students. Some students are supporting the faculty, while others have begun online discussion groups questioning the strike. Students on campus Tuesday voiced concern about being able to finish their classes and final exams, and frustration at being caught in the middle of the dispute.
