Impasse Reached in 6th Round of Bargaining
Talks have been underway this year for a 6th Collective Agreement between the Board of Atlantic School of Theology (the Board) and this union, ASTFA (Atlantic School of Theology Faculty Association). The 5th agreement expired on March 31, 2025. After approximately ten meetings, the parties realized that they were at an impasse. On April 16, 2025, lead negotiators for the Board and ASTFA jointly filed for conciliation.
The Province of Nova Scotia appointed a Conciliation Officer from the department of Conciliation and Mediation Services. The Conciliation Officer hosted a meeting of both parties at a neutral site on June 5, 2025. Unfortunately, by the end of the day, the Officer concluded that we were indeed at an impasse. This past Monday, on June 16, we were informed that the Conciliation Officer’s Report had been submitted to the Honourable Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, in accordance with Section 38(2) of the Trade Union Act.
ASTFA’s bargaining team has a final meeting scheduled with the Board and the Province’s Conciliation Officer. If a bargain is not struck at this meeting, we could face a work stoppage as soon as July 1, 2025.