Nova Scotia long‑term care workers reach tentative deal to end eight‑week strike

Unionized workers at Nova Scotia’s long‑term care homes, representing roughly 3,600 employees across 36 facilities, announced a tentative agreement on Sunday, ending an eight‑week strike that began on April 13. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) posted the update on Facebook, noting that the deal must be ratified within 10 days and that a vote by the lead bargaining unit at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home is scheduled for Monday. While the union has not released the contract details, it said the agreement includes wage increases that would raise the lowest‑paid workers to about $23.57 an hour by 2028 – still below the province’s living‑wage benchmark – and a defined‑benefit pension plan for facilities that lack one. The provincial government’s previous offer featured 12‑24 % wage hikes over four years and a 70 % boost to shift and weekend premiums. If the vote is approved, the deal will be presented to other CUPE locals for a province‑wide ratification, potentially allowing staff to return to work as early as Monday.