Unions are outraged that a provincial government might give universities the right to override union contracts because of financial constraints. The government of the eastern province of Nova Scotia is considering a law that would allow universities to ban strikes, grievances and new collective agreements for a 12 to 18 month period.
The proposed law is seen as a way to help universities deal with millions of dollars in budget shortfalls. It would give the government the power to oversee how the universities spend their funding. The unions say that is unconstitutional, violates academic freedom and infringes on university autonomy.
Several universities across Canada are facing funding difficulties as provincial governments reduce or freeze their funding.
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