Mount Allison Faculty Association has applied to certify a new bargaining unit of contract academic staff. The union began collecting signatures this spring, and is now waiting for a response from the New Brunswick Industrial Relations Board.

The new unit would consist of approximately 70 part-time faculty teaching in degree credit courses, including extension and correspondence courses. The unit also includes part-time professional librarians.

Erin Steuter, president of the faculty association, said MAFA had enough signed cards in April to submit the application for certification to the labour board: "We successfully signed up a strong majority of our part-timers; we're confident the new unit will be granted automatic certification."

Steuter said the team worked very hard, adding they're delighted they received "such a strong show of support."