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Nova Scotia school support workers could walk off the job as early as next Monday, as their union prepares to issue a strike notice this Friday. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says it will deliver a 48-hour strike notice unless the provincial government meets its wage demands before the deadline.
Wage Dispute at the Heart of the Conflict
The two sides have spent the past 10 months in negotiations without reaching an agreement. CUPE is pushing for a wage increase of $3.50 over four years for school support workers. Nelson Scott, chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU), says that figure is reasonable. “Our members have made it quite clear that they need a decent minimum wage. We think $3.50 over four years is not a whole lot to ask for,” he said.
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However, CUPE says the province is currently offering workers in the lowest classifications an increase of just over $1.60 by 2029. The NSSBCU represents eight CUPE locals across Nova Scotia. Together, they cover more than 5,500 workers, including education program assistants, lead early childhood educators, bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers.
Premier Calls Provincial Offer Fair
Premier Tim Houston addressed reporters on Wednesday. He expressed hope that both sides would reach a resolution before Friday’s deadline. Houston also defended the government’s position, saying the offer is more than fair. “Obviously the province only has so much money,” he said, adding that public opinion on spending priorities had been clear during budget discussions.
Scott, meanwhile, acknowledged the disruption a strike would cause for students and families. “We are very strongly and very sincerely sorry that we’re disrupting families and students because we know how important their education is,” he said. “But we have to stand our ground and do what’s right for our members.”
Families and Experts Weigh In
Some families are already feeling anxious about the potential walkout. Nova Scotia parent Kirkley Westhaver told Global News that her daughter relies on an education program assistant in class. If a strike goes ahead, Westhaver said her daughter would either have to miss school entirely or Westhaver would need to stay in the classroom with her.
Business professor Ed McHugh, who teaches part-time at Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s and Mount Saint Vincent universities, says children often end up caught in the middle during labour disputes. Furthermore, he does not expect a quick resolution given rising inflation and the increasing cost of living. “It’s a bit of a circle: the government’s saying, ‘We don’t have the money,’ but the workers are saying, ‘We need the money.’ Somewhere in the middle is the right solution,” McHugh said.
As Friday’s deadline approaches, both sides face pressure to find common ground. Without a deal, more than 5,500 Nova Scotia school support workers could begin strike action on Monday.
