After returning to the bargaining table late last week, the union representing education support staff across Nova Scotia called a 48-hour strike notice with plans to begin today, Nov 2.
However, shortly after the notice was issued on Oct 30, a second press release from CUPE stated the strike was a no-go. A tentative deal between the province and the Nova Scotia Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU) has been reached.
The details of the agreement are not yet clear, but the NSSBCU was stalwart in their ask for a $3.50 wage increase by 2029 for their members. The union represents early childhood educators, teaching assistants, custodians, bus drivers, support workers, library workers and more.
The province originally low-balled the union with an offer of $1.62 hourly increase over four years for most classifications, according to CUPE.
In their first release on Friday, announcing the 48-hour notice, the union says local leaders wouldn’t accept the deal if it did not include the $3.50 increase. It also says the province had changed their offer to a 9.86% increase over five years, or $2.22 over a five-year span for the lowest paid workers.
Between that eight-hour bargaining session and the scramble of a 48-hour strike notice, a deal has been made and a tentative agreement is now on the table.
“We feel this agreement is addresses the concerns our members have been raising, and every member of the bargaining committee has recommended it full-heartedly,” reads the announcement from CUPE, adding details of the deal will be presented to members in the coming days.
For now, rallies have been cancelled and work stoppages will not occur as planned.
