Nova Scotia school support workers face potential strike

More than 5,500 school support workers in Nova Scotia, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), may go on strike as early as Monday, October 26. A conciliator has declared an impasse in contract negotiations between the union and provincial school employers, including the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP).

The workers involved include educational program assistants, early childhood educators, bus drivers, librarians, and various specialized support staff. While the HRCE has not explicitly stated that schools will close, the union has warned of potential closures and significant disruptions. CSAP has notified parents that while some French-language programs may continue, school bus services in certain areas, such as Clare, Argyle, and Pomquet, would be suspended, along with extracurricular and concierge services.

The Nova Scotia NDP has urged the provincial government to reach a fair agreement to prevent widespread disruption for the province’s 133,000 students, noting that a strike could disproportionately affect students with disabilities who rely on classroom supports.