DFA Collective Agreement is in effect until June 30, 2025.
The DFA represents over 1000 members.
DFA President Dave Westwood walks the line with CUPE3912.
DFA's 2022 Negotiating Team
DFA was certified in 1978.
DFA Members support APPBUSA strike Spring 2022.
DFA Public Speaker Series: Islamaphobia Panel
The DFA office on Seymour Street
DFA participates in AMPL flying picket 2024.
DFA President Dominic Silvio supporting AMPL job action 2024.
AT A GLANCE
DID YOU KNOW?
Congratulations to DFA member Tim Juckes, recipient of the CAUT Dedicated Service Award. For more than a decade, Tim has served the DFA in many capacities. He is the Co-Chair of the Association-Board Committee, sits on the Grievance Committee, has served on several Bargaining Teams and on the Executive Committee. Thank you, Tim, for your commitment to helping our members behind the scenes on countless issues. Tim is a Senior Instructor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Pictured above: DFA President-Elect/Past President Dave Westwood, Tim Juckes, DFA President Dominic Silvio.
Treaty Rights and Reconciliation
On October 1, Dr. Sherry Pictou, Associate Professor in Dalhousie Faculties of Law and Management, presented Treaty Rights and Reconciliation for DFA's recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Through her informative presentatiaon, Dr. Pictou showed the history and current complexity of the issues surrounding treaty rights. This was DFA's first hybrid event, and began with a smudging ceremony conducted by Elder in Residence Ann LaBillois. Thank you to both Dr. Pictou and Elder Ann for their time, participation, and expertise.
For the latest issue of the CAUT Bulletin, visit here.
Together, We Are Dal
Professors, instructors, librarians and counsellors - our valued DFA members - are dedicated to their students, providing the best possible post-secondary education and experience for the Dalhousie community. The success of this university relies on the commitment of our members.
The DFA negotiates and protects one of the strongest collective agreements in Canada’s university sector. Bargaining on behalf of more than 950 members, our volunteers and staff work tirelessly advocating for Members’ rights, making your concerns heard by the Administration. Year after year, we challenge the Administration on issues that affect our members, our students, and our fellow workers at Dal.
For a history of the DFA, read 40 Years of Activism: Working for a Better Dalhousie.
As a member of the DFA, you can help!
- Get involved. Contact the DFA about volunteer opportunities.
- Attend DFA events. General meetings and other special events happen several times a year, so watch your email, this site and social media.
- Stay social. Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram- like and share our content to spread the word about issues important to our members.
Together, we are Dal.
We welcome your questions, concerns and feedback. Email dfa@dal.ca or call 902-494-3722.
You can also email the DFA President anytime. Visit our Executive Committee page for contact information.
QUICK FACTS
The Anomalies Fund exists to adjust the salaries of DFA Members whose salaries are judged to be anomalously low, when compared with the salaries of other Members accounting for experience and rank within their Faculty. See Article 31A.06 in your Collective Agreement. The deadline for applications is March 15 each year.
As a member of DFA, you are also a member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers. CAUT’s online Member Travel Benefit Program with Local Hospitality Inc. offers significant savings on hotels, car rentals and select entertainment events. Instructions on how to access the platform can be found at Affinity Program for CAUT Members | CAUT.
As a DFA Member with a full-time position, you have 25 vacation days each year. The number of days is prorated for Members on limited-term appointments of less than 12 months. This formula will help you calculate how many vacation days you have each year: Length of Employment (months)/12 x 25 vacation days x FTE percentage = vacation days (Clause 30.01 & 30.02 in your Collective Agreement)
Under our Collective Agreement (Clause 32.18 b), all DFA Members have access to a Health Spending Account of $1000 for medical expenses not covered under your benefits plan. Unused balances carry forward for one year only, so be sure to use your full entitlement. For details and to see your balance, visit Medavie Blue Cross.