A strike is a stoppage of work, a refusal to work or to continue work, by employees in a specific union. A strike may take different forms, but generally, it is a refusal to work in a way that is designed to slow down, disrupt or stop operations. A strike is organized by a union as a form of protest in an attempt to force the employer to agree to their demands.

At a picket line, union members will generally carry signs that show their concerns or issues and may walk in front of campus entrances. Picket lines are not legally permitted to set up on private property. In the case of CBU, all property from the fence line along Grand Lake Road toward campus buildings is private property.

You have a legal right to cross a picket line to enter campus. We understand that any picketing will occur in a lawful, respectful and considerate manner. While this may be uncomfortable for some students, we encourage you to act as you normally would toward those striking. It is legal for those on strike to provide information, but they must allow the normal movement of people and vehicles into CBU.

As a CBU employee, you have a legal right to cross a picket line to enter campus, and you are expected to continue your work as a non-striking-union or non-union member. Any picketing is expected to occur in a lawful, respectful and considerate manner.

Crossing a picket line should be done respectfully. While this may be uncomfortable for some employees, we encourage you to act as you normally would toward those striking. It is legal for those on strike to provide information and we respect their right to do so, but they must allow the normal movement of people and vehicles onto the CBU campus and CBU affiliated locations. We expect both parties will act respectfully toward one another. There will be an end to every strike and all CBU employees must work together to continue to provide a positive student experience to our valued students.

While unexpected, if you encounter a situation where you feel that you were not treated in a respectful manner by those on the picket line, please report any incidents to your immediate supervisor.

Although crossing a picket line may be uncomfortable for some employees, we encourage you to act as you normally would toward those striking. It is legal for those on strike to provide information, and we respect their right to do so, but they must allow the normal movement of people and vehicles to and from the CBU campus and CBU affiliated locations. 

All non-striking-union and non-union employees are expected to come to work as usual.

It is possible that the provincial government will get involved if the parties still cannot come to an agreement and a strike has gone on for a length of time. The next step would be mediation which is a non-binding tool used to help parties reach a settlement.

If a mediator is still not successful, the provincial government may appoint an arbitrator. The arbitration process sees the arbitrator listen to  both parties and then they enforce a binding settlement. The final settlement may or may not be one that the parties are happy with; however, it must be respected.

This is a normal reaction. CBU Faculty and Staff may utilize Healthy Minds NS, or access support through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). You can review more information on CBU’s EFAP or visit the MyCBU Intranet.

The Labour Relations page will continue to be updated with any new developments and will be your main source for accurate and up-to-date information. Important updates affecting students and employees will also be communicated directly through official CBU email. Please pay close attention to your CBU email for all future communications from the University on this matter.