More than half of university teaching staff on contract

More than half the people teaching at Nova Scotia universities are working under contract rather than in a position that might lead to a permanent, secure academic post, according to a recent study, writes Jean Laroche for CBC News.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives compiled the study of 67 institutions across Canada, which represent almost nine out of 10 publicly funded universities in the country. The survey found that at Nova Scotia's 10 universities 53% of those who teach are under contract. The length of those contracts can vary from a single course or semester, to full-time or multi-year. According to one of the report's authors, Chandra Pasma, a senior research officer with CUPE, the common link is the “long-term insecurity for the people in those positions”.

The situation isn't unique to Nova Scotia. Nationally, about half of university faculty positions are contract jobs, according to the study. Nova Scotia has the fourth highest rate in Canada. Quebec is highest at 61%; Prince Edward Island and Alberta are tied for the lowest percentage at 39%. Eighty per cent of the contracts are for part-time employment.
Full report on the CBC News site