HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On Monday, October 19, the eight member locals of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions outlined for government and the education system employers what it will take to reach a settlement and avoid a strike in Nova Scotia's public schools.
It is now Friday. There has been no movement, and no indication that government is willing to meet the needs of school support staff.
Government is fully aware of what it will take to settle this contract. It knows what is needed to address the staffing shortages, inadequate wages, workplace violence that are undermining our public schools.
Despite knowing this, government has not committed the resources necessary to resolve this dispute and ensure students can continue their education without interruption.
Today, we have a final conciliation meeting with Regional Centre for Education and Conseil Scolaire Acadien provincial employers. There is still time for government to make things right.
School support workers have made their position clear. They want to be in their schools, doing the work that students and families depend on. They also need a collective agreement that addresses the conditions making that work increasingly difficult.
We have put forward a path to settlement. It is up to government to respond.
Nova Scotia's students, families and school staff deserve an answer.
Nelson Scott, on behalf of the 1400 members of CUPE 5050; Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education
Jenny-Lynn Wardrope, on behalf of the 650 members of CUPE 3890; Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education
Andrew Weaver, on behalf of the 300 members of CUPE 964; Tri-County Regional Centre for Education
Gerrard Matthews, on behalf of the 900 members of CUPE 955; Strait Regional Centre for Education
Kevin Carther, on behalf of the 600 members of CUPE 3876; Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
Robert Amero, on behalf of the 200 members of SCFP 2272; Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Shelley McNeil, on behalf of the 2800 members of CUPE 5047; Halifax Regional Centre for Education
Floyd Seymour, on behalf of the 200 members of CUPE 4682, South Shore Regional Centre for Education
