Nipissing U part-time teaching faculty avoid Monday strike.

Part-time teaching faculty at Nipissing University reached a tentative agreement late Friday, averting a planned Monday strike; the deal will be presented to CASBU members for a ratification vote.

Part-time teaching faculty at Nipissing University returned to classrooms after bargaining teams announced a tentative agreement late on Friday. The Contract Academic Staff Bargaining Unit (CASBU) said the deal means there will be no strike on February 2. Both parties met for mediation on January 30 to continue discussions ahead of the strike deadline. CASBU members have been seeking higher wages and have said they are among the lowest-paid sessional instructors in Ontario. Key details: - CASBU negotiators reached a tentative agreement with the university late Friday. - The agreement averted a planned strike and classes continued as scheduled on Monday. - The bargaining team will bring the tentative agreement to CASBU members for a ratification vote. - Both sides engaged in mediation on Jan. 30 to advance talks before the strike deadline. - NUFA president Robin Gendron said the negotiations were collegial and that the deal keeps faculty in the classroom. Summary: The tentative agreement prevented a strike and allowed scheduled classes to proceed. Finalization depends on ratification votes by CASBU members, expected over the next few weeks.