General FAQs

NASA is NAIT’s Academic Staff Association (union) and represents instructors, counsellors, librarians and curriculum instruction specialists.

Collective bargaining is the negotiation process between an employer and a union. The goal of negotiating is to reach a written collective agreement that becomes the contract that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for unionized employees. (Source: Government of Alberta). 

NAIT and NASA have been in collective bargaining since July 2024. NASA represents instructors, curriculum and instructional specialists, librarians, and counsellors. 

At this time, academic staff are not on strike (see next section), and NAIT remains fully operational. Classes and student learning continue as scheduled. 

NAIT is committed to doing our utmost to avoid disruption to your studies. Our priority continues to be getting back to the negotiating table, with the assistance of a mediator, to reaching a fair and sustainable collective agreement

Continue to check this webpage, NAIT.ca/Bargaining, and look for updates on the MyNAIT portal. You can also ensure that we have your most current contact information on file.

If circumstances change, NAIT may communicate with you directly via your nait.ca email, to provide more detailed information on what to expect and what supports are available.

NAIT will continue to communicate with students through official channels, including the student portal, email, and website. NAIT will also collaborate with NAITSA to proactively share information with the association. Students will maintain access to Brightspace. Updates will be shared regularly to ensure students receive timely, reliable information.

Should you have any questions that haven’t been addressed through FAQS, please visit the Student Service Centre - NAIT.

A vote for a strike is exactly that—a vote to authorize a strike. A strike vote does not mean that a strike will happen right away—or at all.

A strike occurs when members of a union bargaining unit withhold services through cessation of work, or refusal to work. Strikes are a legally regulated labour negotiation tactic.

In Alberta, strikes are regulated by the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB).

To initiate a strike action, a union must submit a majority vote in favour of the strike to the ALRB, which then grants permission for the strike to occur within a 120-day window.

Unions must provide employers with at least 72-hours notice of the onset of strike action. 

To learn more about strikes please visit the ALRB FAQs.

The NAIT Academic Staff Association (NASA) members voted in favour of a strike mandate on January 14 and 15. This means the union has a legal right to strike within 120 days following January 16. In advance of a strike occurring, NASA would be required to provide NAIT with at least 72 hours’ notice. NAIT would communicate this to all students, faculty and staff following receipt of this notice.

A lockout is the employer's equivalent of a union striking. It closes down the workplace or suspends work.

Lockouts are a legally regulated labour negotiation tactic.

In Alberta, lockouts are regulated by the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB).

To initiate a lockout, an employer must submit a majority vote in favour of the lockout to the ALRB, which then grants permission for the lockout to occur within a 120-day window.

Employers must provide the union with at least 72-hours notice of the onset of lockout action. 

To learn more about lockouts please visit the ALRB FAQs

With approval from the Board of Governors, NAIT has applied on January 16 to the Alberta Labour Relations Board for the ability to proceed with a lockout, if necessary. This is a standard step that ensures NAIT has appropriate options available to ensure clarity for students and maintain operational stability during a strike.

NAIT posts progress updates on labour negotiations with NASA on this collective bargaining webpage. These FAQ’s will also be regularly updated to address emerging concerns. In addition, we’ll ensure students receive important updates via email and/or social media. 

We’ll share updates as needed, especially when there are important developments in labour negotiations. If anything may affect your studies, current students will receive timely email updates with clear information about what it means for your term or apprenticeship intake.