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More than 500 school board workers with the Chignecto Central Regional School Board in Nova Scotia will be holding strike votes on Saturday, December 8.

CUPE National Representative Betty Jean Sutherland says, “The members of Local 3890, who are currently in bargaining on so-called ‘local issues’, will be holding strike votes at 10:00 a.m. at the Temperance Street School in New Glasgow, 1:00 p.m. at the Onslow School and 4:00 p.m. at E.B. Chandler School in Amherst.”

Sutherland says while monetary issues are bargained provincially by the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, local issues are bargained by each of the CUPE locals. She says there are several outstanding local issues with the Chignecto Board, including: 

  • Employer concessions on hours of work
      
  • Pre-trip and pick-up time for bus drivers
      
  • Restrictions on union representation at disciplinary and other meetings with the employer
      
  • An employer request to allow creation of less than 20-hour per week jobs, thereby eliminating access to benefits
      
  • Recognition of the added responsibility to duties relating to water testing in the schools
      
  • Travel allowance when employees are forced to travel because of work relocation and storm days


Sutherland says the parties have had four full days of negotiations without reaching a settlement. The Department of Labour has appointed a Conciliation Officer but dates have yet to be set for resumption of talks.