Robin Parker
@rmnparker.bsky.social
Locked out of work by DalhousieU. Medical librarian & PhD researcher: enthusiastic about knowledge synthesis, teaching, dogs, and gardening, not necessarily in that order. Living in Mi’kma’ki as a homegrown settler. #medlibs #canmedlib #keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
Time to bring this poster back? New article idea for the President and BoG:
Kim Brooks et al, "The Emerging Doctrine of Performative Bargaining: Lessons from Dalhousie University's Board of Governors" Employee Rts & Employment Pol'y J [forthcoming].
#KeepDalStrong @dalfaculty.bsky.social
Kim Brooks et al, "The Emerging Doctrine of Performative Bargaining: Lessons from Dalhousie University's Board of Governors" Employee Rts & Employment Pol'y J [forthcoming].
#KeepDalStrong @dalfaculty.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Time to bring this poster back? New article idea for the President and BoG:
Kim Brooks et al, "The Emerging Doctrine of Performative Bargaining: Lessons from Dalhousie University's Board of Governors" Employee Rts & Employment Pol'y J [forthcoming].
#KeepDalStrong @dalfaculty.bsky.social
Kim Brooks et al, "The Emerging Doctrine of Performative Bargaining: Lessons from Dalhousie University's Board of Governors" Employee Rts & Employment Pol'y J [forthcoming].
#KeepDalStrong @dalfaculty.bsky.social
Reposted by Robin Parker
It's been almost four weeks since the @dalhousieu.bsky.social lockout of DFA faculty began. Progress has been made. Now, it's time for President Brooks to step in and get the Board to accept what is a fair and reasonable offer by the DFA. Let's get on with the term. #keepdalstrong
September 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
It's been almost four weeks since the @dalhousieu.bsky.social lockout of DFA faculty began. Progress has been made. Now, it's time for President Brooks to step in and get the Board to accept what is a fair and reasonable offer by the DFA. Let's get on with the term. #keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
There is not a more fitting image considering @Dalhousie.bsky.social has already missed significant funding deadlines because of their lockout of @dalfaculty.bsky.social.
Likley to lose millions of 💲💲💲 in research funding over the next few years because of their choices.
#SAD
#KeepDalStrong
💸💸💸💸💸💸💸
Likley to lose millions of 💲💲💲 in research funding over the next few years because of their choices.
#SAD
#KeepDalStrong
💸💸💸💸💸💸💸
September 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
There is not a more fitting image considering @Dalhousie.bsky.social has already missed significant funding deadlines because of their lockout of @dalfaculty.bsky.social.
Likley to lose millions of 💲💲💲 in research funding over the next few years because of their choices.
#SAD
#KeepDalStrong
💸💸💸💸💸💸💸
Likley to lose millions of 💲💲💲 in research funding over the next few years because of their choices.
#SAD
#KeepDalStrong
💸💸💸💸💸💸💸
Reposted by Robin Parker
"Here we are, with a legally-trained President once again electing to violate the duty to bargain in good faith as a tactic". Every member of the @dalfaculty.bsky.social wants to work. Stop this nonsense @dalhousie.bsky.social & bargain in good faith! #KeepDalStrong www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...
September 12, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"Here we are, with a legally-trained President once again electing to violate the duty to bargain in good faith as a tactic". Every member of the @dalfaculty.bsky.social wants to work. Stop this nonsense @dalhousie.bsky.social & bargain in good faith! #KeepDalStrong www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...
Reposted by Robin Parker
Key point to emphasize - once again midway through the process, the Board and Admin refused to return to discussions and instead resorted to PR. They could have met this AM at 9 to work toward solutions. #keepdalstrong
halifax.citynews.ca/2025/09/11/d...
halifax.citynews.ca/2025/09/11/d...
Dalhousie, faculty association 'fairly close' to a deal, union president says
Atlantic Canada’s largest university and the association representing the more than 1,000 staff members are getting closer to an agreement, the union president said on Thursday. According to David Wes...
halifax.citynews.ca
September 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Key point to emphasize - once again midway through the process, the Board and Admin refused to return to discussions and instead resorted to PR. They could have met this AM at 9 to work toward solutions. #keepdalstrong
halifax.citynews.ca/2025/09/11/d...
halifax.citynews.ca/2025/09/11/d...
Reposted by Robin Parker
I'm pretty sure that answering work emails during a lockout / defensive strike is strike-breaking so what game is the Dal Board playing here by making DFA members' emails "available" even as they warn them they aren't allowed to be working? So much WTF-ery. 😱
September 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I'm pretty sure that answering work emails during a lockout / defensive strike is strike-breaking so what game is the Dal Board playing here by making DFA members' emails "available" even as they warn them they aren't allowed to be working? So much WTF-ery. 😱
Same here. The efforts to #keepdalstrong are tougher when we are suffering migraines.
I will say yesterday brought on a migraine the size of a small mountain, though.
September 11, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Same here. The efforts to #keepdalstrong are tougher when we are suffering migraines.
The intensity of my FOMO & desire to tackle the mess of my inbox is fully countered by my rage at this gesture that is essentially an invitation to scab. Also found out admin is promoting research skill modules created by DFA librarians 😡 That’s OUR labour! Solidarity all the way. #keepdalstrong
After locking out faculty and blocking email account access for 3 weeks, Dalhousie University admin is now “providing email access to ensure an efficient return to work”.
Never mind that an agreement (contract) has not been signed nor voted on by anyone 🙃
Posturing and misinformation!
Madness.
Never mind that an agreement (contract) has not been signed nor voted on by anyone 🙃
Posturing and misinformation!
Madness.
September 11, 2025 at 11:43 AM
The intensity of my FOMO & desire to tackle the mess of my inbox is fully countered by my rage at this gesture that is essentially an invitation to scab. Also found out admin is promoting research skill modules created by DFA librarians 😡 That’s OUR labour! Solidarity all the way. #keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
Today's another conciliation meeting. I hope both parties have productive talks, that last as long as they need to. Sending good wishes to everyone, and especially to our DFA bargaining team. #keepdalstrong
September 8, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Today's another conciliation meeting. I hope both parties have productive talks, that last as long as they need to. Sending good wishes to everyone, and especially to our DFA bargaining team. #keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
I’ve used house metaphors to explain Dal’s “budget.” Your kitchen doesn’t owe the house because it uses more water than a bedroom.
Exceeding your household budget isn’t a problem if your income is big enough to cover the shortfall.
*You just need better estimates in your budget.* #KeepDalStrong
Exceeding your household budget isn’t a problem if your income is big enough to cover the shortfall.
*You just need better estimates in your budget.* #KeepDalStrong
Yesterday's information about operating surplus not enough for you? Here is @dalhousie.bsky.social charity disclosure of revenue/expenses.
Note how the green bars are consistently bigger than the red bars year-over-year?
That's surplus baby!
Deficit where exactly?
#KeepDalStrong
Note how the green bars are consistently bigger than the red bars year-over-year?
That's surplus baby!
Deficit where exactly?
#KeepDalStrong
September 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I’ve used house metaphors to explain Dal’s “budget.” Your kitchen doesn’t owe the house because it uses more water than a bedroom.
Exceeding your household budget isn’t a problem if your income is big enough to cover the shortfall.
*You just need better estimates in your budget.* #KeepDalStrong
Exceeding your household budget isn’t a problem if your income is big enough to cover the shortfall.
*You just need better estimates in your budget.* #KeepDalStrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
From our colleague in Law, this is a brilliant dissection of the Board’s doubling down on unfair bargaining tactics in presenting their tepid "offer"
www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...
#keepdalstrong
www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...
#keepdalstrong
From the Dalhousie community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Dalhousie community
www.reddit.com
September 5, 2025 at 2:51 AM
From our colleague in Law, this is a brilliant dissection of the Board’s doubling down on unfair bargaining tactics in presenting their tepid "offer"
www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...
#keepdalstrong
www.reddit.com/r/Dalhousie/...
#keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
Our STUDENTS are the most impacted by this lockout, but the DSU has made a public statement of their support of @dalfaculty.bsky.social.
If students, impacted significantly by @dalhousie.bsky.social's foolishness, are with us, the Admin have made errors.
www.dsu.ca/dfa-labour-n...
#KeepDalStrong
If students, impacted significantly by @dalhousie.bsky.social's foolishness, are with us, the Admin have made errors.
www.dsu.ca/dfa-labour-n...
#KeepDalStrong
September 4, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Our STUDENTS are the most impacted by this lockout, but the DSU has made a public statement of their support of @dalfaculty.bsky.social.
If students, impacted significantly by @dalhousie.bsky.social's foolishness, are with us, the Admin have made errors.
www.dsu.ca/dfa-labour-n...
#KeepDalStrong
If students, impacted significantly by @dalhousie.bsky.social's foolishness, are with us, the Admin have made errors.
www.dsu.ca/dfa-labour-n...
#KeepDalStrong
The new “revised final offer” includes conversion of 8 LTA positions to permanent. For those keeping score at home, that is about 10% of the current number of LTAs, but how did they get to that number? The 5yr limit is a much more transparent way to allocate based on proven need. #keepdalstrong
When a DFA member has been on LTA for 5 yrs, the position is clearly meeting a long-term teaching need. LTAs are on the same pay as career-stream faculty, conversion costs @dalhousieu.bsky.social nothing. Yet, they said no, asked us to drop the proposal for "interest arbitration." #KeepDalStrong
September 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The new “revised final offer” includes conversion of 8 LTA positions to permanent. For those keeping score at home, that is about 10% of the current number of LTAs, but how did they get to that number? The 5yr limit is a much more transparent way to allocate based on proven need. #keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
Are you in #NovaScotia looking for #HealthCare?
Direct some of your ire at the @dalhousie.bky.social admin given that the lockout WILL cause #delays in getting #health graduates into the field in the #Maritimes.
I brought receipts.
buff.ly/wSFtMIP
buff.ly/6HG3x9M
buff.ly/z9dcaG4
#keepDalStrong
Direct some of your ire at the @dalhousie.bky.social admin given that the lockout WILL cause #delays in getting #health graduates into the field in the #Maritimes.
I brought receipts.
buff.ly/wSFtMIP
buff.ly/6HG3x9M
buff.ly/z9dcaG4
#keepDalStrong
September 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Are you in #NovaScotia looking for #HealthCare?
Direct some of your ire at the @dalhousie.bky.social admin given that the lockout WILL cause #delays in getting #health graduates into the field in the #Maritimes.
I brought receipts.
buff.ly/wSFtMIP
buff.ly/6HG3x9M
buff.ly/z9dcaG4
#keepDalStrong
Direct some of your ire at the @dalhousie.bky.social admin given that the lockout WILL cause #delays in getting #health graduates into the field in the #Maritimes.
I brought receipts.
buff.ly/wSFtMIP
buff.ly/6HG3x9M
buff.ly/z9dcaG4
#keepDalStrong
I really don’t understand how refusing to come to the negotiating table followed by an ultimatum with a ridiculously short timeline constitutes bargaining in good faith.
BOARD NOW: HERE IS A BIG BEAUTIFUL OFFER TO SWAY STUDENTS & AVOID A NEUTRAL CONCILIATOR WHO MIGHT SIDE WITH DFA. WE CAN MEET SOON IF DFA AGREES TO A DISTORTED PROCESS ON OUR DEADLINES. IF THEY SAY NO, THEY ARE THE BADDIES! THANK YOU FOR YOUR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! #keepdalstrong
September 4, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I really don’t understand how refusing to come to the negotiating table followed by an ultimatum with a ridiculously short timeline constitutes bargaining in good faith.
Reposted by Robin Parker
DFA proposed a $500/yr increase in the Health Spending Account. About 60% of DFA members max out this benefit. This increase would cost @dalhousieu.bsky.social approx $300k/yr. But they wouldn't discuss it. The Board has saved $5.6 MILLION by having faculty locked out for 2 weeks.
#keepdalstrong
#keepdalstrong
September 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
DFA proposed a $500/yr increase in the Health Spending Account. About 60% of DFA members max out this benefit. This increase would cost @dalhousieu.bsky.social approx $300k/yr. But they wouldn't discuss it. The Board has saved $5.6 MILLION by having faculty locked out for 2 weeks.
#keepdalstrong
#keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
Not just classes are cancelled. DFA members have been locked out by the admin since August 20th: we can't sign students in from waitlists, can't advise them, can't share syllabi, can't help them with scholarship applications, etc. etc.
#KeepDalStrong
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#KeepDalStrong
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
'I just want to learn': Students in limbo as many Dalhousie classes cancelled amid strike | CBC News
Classes at Dalhousie University are supposed to start on Tuesday, but most have been cancelled due to a strike.
www.cbc.ca
September 1, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Not just classes are cancelled. DFA members have been locked out by the admin since August 20th: we can't sign students in from waitlists, can't advise them, can't share syllabi, can't help them with scholarship applications, etc. etc.
#KeepDalStrong
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#KeepDalStrong
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Robin Parker
The @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors' "offer" for interest arbitration won't resolve this. It's just creating further delays. Bargaining on the issues important to our members is required. Stop with the stunts, let's get back to the table and talk. It's the only way to #KeepDalStrong
August 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors' "offer" for interest arbitration won't resolve this. It's just creating further delays. Bargaining on the issues important to our members is required. Stop with the stunts, let's get back to the table and talk. It's the only way to #KeepDalStrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
A Week of Silence 👎
A Week of Solidarity 💪
For the @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors and Administration this was a week of silence and isolation.
But for the @dalfaculty.bsky.social (DFA) this has been a week of loud #solidarity as we fight to #KeepDalStrong!
Keep Dal Strong
A Week of Solidarity 💪
For the @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors and Administration this was a week of silence and isolation.
But for the @dalfaculty.bsky.social (DFA) this has been a week of loud #solidarity as we fight to #KeepDalStrong!
Keep Dal Strong
August 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
A Week of Silence 👎
A Week of Solidarity 💪
For the @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors and Administration this was a week of silence and isolation.
But for the @dalfaculty.bsky.social (DFA) this has been a week of loud #solidarity as we fight to #KeepDalStrong!
Keep Dal Strong
A Week of Solidarity 💪
For the @dalhousieu.bsky.social Board of Governors and Administration this was a week of silence and isolation.
But for the @dalfaculty.bsky.social (DFA) this has been a week of loud #solidarity as we fight to #KeepDalStrong!
Keep Dal Strong
Should be meeting students & other researchers about their ongoing evidence syntheses, welcoming the new class of med students, supervising library grad student interns, confirming access to essential health info resources, teaching residents, & more, but I’m #lockedout. #medlibs #keepdalstong
Should be prepping Drosophilawesome labs, advising students with DARS/course selection, helping out with the last SEASIDE courses, and advising on co-op work/academic term sequences. Oh! And volunteering at O-week welcome events and Res Move In! Instead? #LockedOut #IdRatherBeWorking #KeepDalStrong
August 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Should be meeting students & other researchers about their ongoing evidence syntheses, welcoming the new class of med students, supervising library grad student interns, confirming access to essential health info resources, teaching residents, & more, but I’m #lockedout. #medlibs #keepdalstong
Reposted by Robin Parker
Yup, still locked out.
Here is your daily reminder that @dalfaculty.bsky.social would rather be working, but @dalhousie.bsky.social locked us out.
Read info from our side at www.wearedal.ca
Here is your daily reminder that @dalfaculty.bsky.social would rather be working, but @dalhousie.bsky.social locked us out.
Read info from our side at www.wearedal.ca
August 26, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Yup, still locked out.
Here is your daily reminder that @dalfaculty.bsky.social would rather be working, but @dalhousie.bsky.social locked us out.
Read info from our side at www.wearedal.ca
Here is your daily reminder that @dalfaculty.bsky.social would rather be working, but @dalhousie.bsky.social locked us out.
Read info from our side at www.wearedal.ca
As a DFA librarian supporting Dal med students, who are taught by mostly (but not all) non-DFA faculty, this confusion undermines relationships I have spent 15 years building. No email
auto-reply could result in not contacting their dedicated librarian & losing out on crucial research support.
auto-reply could result in not contacting their dedicated librarian & losing out on crucial research support.
Turning off out-of-office replies during the lockout helps no one. It leaves colleagues, students, and community members confused. An auto-reply is a simple courtesy that explains why emails aren’t being answered. Silence creates frustration. Do better, @dalhousieu.bsky.social. #KeepDalStrong #DFA
August 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
As a DFA librarian supporting Dal med students, who are taught by mostly (but not all) non-DFA faculty, this confusion undermines relationships I have spent 15 years building. No email
auto-reply could result in not contacting their dedicated librarian & losing out on crucial research support.
auto-reply could result in not contacting their dedicated librarian & losing out on crucial research support.
Not before classes for all; I would be delivering the medical library orientation to the incoming class of med students this week if I wasn’t locked out. As pointed out, medicine & health programs follow different schedules so lectures & academic support are already impacted. #keepdalstrong
Dal admin wreaking havoc by locking faculty out a week before classes…
#keepdalstrong
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#keepdalstrong
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Students, parents feeling frustrated, uncertain amid Dal contract dispute | CBC News
'People sort of feel caught in the crossfire,' says Dalhousie Student Union president Maren Mealey.
www.cbc.ca
August 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Not before classes for all; I would be delivering the medical library orientation to the incoming class of med students this week if I wasn’t locked out. As pointed out, medicine & health programs follow different schedules so lectures & academic support are already impacted. #keepdalstrong
Reposted by Robin Parker
1000 faculty hit the picket lines tomorrow, 930 am, lockout by @dalhousieu.bsky.social. A first for CDN research intensive universities. A reckless move by the Board - jeopardizing the fall term, ruining relations with faculty for years to come. Join us on the picket lines to #keepdalstrong!
August 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A pleasure to work w/ this team & get this publication out. Validation of search filters is a huge amount of work & serves as a launching point for continuous quality improvement. Language changes with culture (& politics). This work is crucial to improve info retrieval on under-researched groups.
My coauthors and I are thrilled to announce our newly published article in JMLA, which provides 2 validated search filters that can be used to retrieve research about queer women's health in PubMed. Read the full article for free: jmla.mlanet.org/ojs/jmla/art...
April 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A pleasure to work w/ this team & get this publication out. Validation of search filters is a huge amount of work & serves as a launching point for continuous quality improvement. Language changes with culture (& politics). This work is crucial to improve info retrieval on under-researched groups.