Nova Scotia School Support Staff Unions Outline Settlement Demands Ahead of Final Conciliation
Eight member locals of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions have outlined settlement requirements to avoid a strike in public schools. As of Friday, no government movement was reported on issues including staffing shortages, inadequate wages, and workplace violence.
On Monday, October 19, the eight member locals of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions outlined settlement requirements to the provincial government and employers in an effort to avoid a strike in Nova Scotia's public schools.
As of Friday following the announcement, there had been no movement or indication that the government is willing to meet the needs of school support staff. The key issues undermining public schools include staffing shortages, inadequate wages, and workplace violence. If a settlement is not reached, a potential strike could disrupt students' education across the province.
A final conciliation meeting is scheduled for Friday with Regional Centre for Education and Conseil Scolaire Acadien provincial employers.
The unions represent thousands of workers across multiple regional centres. Nelson Scott represents CUPE 5050, which has 1,400 members at the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education. Andrew Weaver represents CUPE 964, which has 300 members at the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education. Kevin Carther represents CUPE 3876, which has 600 members at the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education. CUPE 5047 has 2,800 members at the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
Other member locals within the council include CUPE 3890 with 650 members, CUPE 955 with 900 members, SCFP 2272 with 200 members, and CUPE 4682 with 200 members.