Nova Scotia school support workers prepare for potential strike

More than 5,500 school support workers across Nova Scotia are preparing for a province-wide strike scheduled to begin as early as Monday, November 2, if negotiations with the provincial government remain stalled.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) intends to issue a 48-hour strike notice on Friday, October 30. The union is seeking a wage increase of at least $3.50 per hour over four years, improved occupational health and safety provisions, consistent training, and the consolidation of eight separate collective agreements into a single province-wide agreement.

Negotiations have reached a standstill, with the union noting that the province's last proposal offered approximately $1.62 over four years for most job classifications. Affected staff include educational assistants, early childhood educators, custodians, and library workers across the province’s seven regional centres for education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

Nelson Scott, chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, stated that while the union wishes to avoid a walkout to prevent disruption for students and parents, members are prepared to strike for a fair deal. Premier Tim Houston has expressed that his government also seeks to avoid a strike and remains committed to collective bargaining.