Over 5,500 Nova Scotia School Support Workers Could Strike Next Monday
CUPE warns that more than 5,500 school support workers in Nova Scotia, including bus drivers and janitors, could go on strike next Monday over a wage dispute. The potential walkout may force many schools to close, suspend bus services, and shift some students to online learning.
More than 5,500 school support workers across Nova Scotia could walk off the job next Monday after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) warned that negotiations with the province have stalled. The union says many schools may be forced to close if the strike proceeds.
The potential work stoppage involves a wide range of job classifications essential to daily school operations, including bus drivers, janitors, educational program assistants, secretaries, and cafeteria workers.
According to the province, the impacts of a strike would vary by region. Some classes are expected to continue as normal, while others will shift to online learning for affected students. In certain areas, bus service will be suspended entirely. Additionally, some pre-primary programs, as well as before- and after-school programs, will be cancelled.
The dispute centers on wage negotiations between the union and the provincial government. CUPE states that the province’s last wage proposal for most job classifications offered an increase of $1.62 per hour by the end of a four-year agreement.