Nova Scotia Education Support Staff Reach Tentative Agreement, Averting Planned Strike
The Nova Scotia Board Council of Unions reached a tentative agreement with the province shortly after issuing a 48-hour strike notice, cancelling a work stoppage planned for November 2.
A planned strike by education support staff across Nova Scotia has been called off after the Nova Scotia Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU) reached a tentative agreement with the province. The deal came shortly after CUPE's NSSBCU issued a 48-hour strike notice on October 30, which had set a work stoppage to begin on November 2.
The union represents early childhood educators, teaching assistants, custodians, bus drivers, support workers, and library workers throughout Nova Scotia. Its primary demand during negotiations was a $3.50 hourly wage increase by 2029.
The province initially offered a $1.62 hourly increase over four years for most classifications. Before the tentative deal was reached, the province revised its offer to a 9.86% increase over five years, equating to roughly $2.22 over five years for the lowest-paid workers.
With the tentative agreement in place, the strike planned for November 2 was cancelled, along with associated rallies, ensuring no work stoppages occurred. All members of the bargaining committee have recommended the tentative agreement, though specific details remain unclear pending presentation to members for review.