Carleton University announced in December that it plans to reduce by half the number of contract instructors in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The university is facing a projected $38.7-million deficit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Carleton did not consult CUPE 4600 about the cuts, despite several requests from the union, which represents contract instructors, teaching assistants and internally funded research assistants.

“We respectfully demand that you provide CUPE 4600 with detailed information regarding [contract instructor] reductions across all Faculties and Departments,” said CUPE 4600 President Esther Post in a letter to the university administration.

The Carleton University Academic Staff Association (CUASA), which represents approximately 1,000 full-time faculty and professional librarians at the university, issued a statement in solidarity with CUPE 4600 members.

“To date, all significant budgetary sacrifices have been cuts to the number of educators on campus. The drastic reduction of the number of contract instructors at Carleton will have far-reaching and irreparable effects,” read the statement.

CUASA is currently bargaining with Carleton to address workload, health and safety, equity and other issues.