CUPE Nova Scotia is welcoming the review of early intervention services announced on January 21, 2015 by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey.
CUPE Nova Scotia President Danny Cavanagh says, “We are quite pleased to see the government will start by hiring new early interventionists to help address the heaviest waitlists for those facilities across the province.”
The minister says a team appointed by her will be developing a recommendation for a new governance structure over the next few weeks.
Says Cavanagh, “The minister has also pledged that once the new structure is in place, the department will provide funding to help address low wages for early interventionists. This is welcome news for these highly-qualified and hard-working employees who have, historically, been quite underpaid.”
Early intervention programs in Nova Scotia deliver services for young children who are diagnosed with, or are at risk of, developmental delay.
CUPE represents 13 employees at the Progress Centre including Early Interventionists, Library Technicians and Administrative Assistants – members of Local 5054. The group signed their first union contract one year ago.