School support workers across Nova Scotia are preparing for a province-wide strike on Monday, November 2, unless the provincial government and school board employers come forward with an offer that delivers at least $3.50 an hour in wage increases for every worker by 2029.
The Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU), representing eight CUPE locals, announced Tuesday that it will issue 48-hour strike notice on Friday, October 30, if the government and employers fail to meet that wage demand.
“Government knows exactly what it will take to avoid a province-wide strike,” said Nelson Scott, Chair of the NSSBCU. “We were hoping they would take the opportunity this weekend to come back to the bargaining table and settle this contract. Instead, they’re trying to wait us out.”
The Council says the government and employers still have an opportunity to prevent a disruption to public education, but that opportunity is quickly running out.
“School support workers don’t want to be on strike. We want to be in our schools, doing the work that students and families depend on,” said Scott. “But our members have made it clear that they are prepared to stand together for a fair deal. Government has the resources and the responsibility to get this settled.”
The Council is calling on the government and employers to return to the table with an offer that meets the minimum wage increase needed to avoid job action.
“If schools are disrupted on November 2, it will be because government chose not to act when it still had the chance,” said Scott. “The clock is ticking. The decision is now in their hands.”
