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Nova Scotia COVID-19 measures endanger children and early childhood educators

Nova Scotia Public Health and the provincial government are failing workers and children in child care centres, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing over 200 early childhood educators (ECEs) at not-for-profit and profit child care centres across the province. “We sent a letter to Minister Becky Druhan yesterday asking for N95 respirators and rapid test kits (for staff and children), and to immediately reduce capacity in each classroom,” says Margot Nickerson, early childhood educator and president of CUPE 4745. “We’re tired of being forced to ask for these things over and over and being ignored.” “We understand updated guidance is forthcoming and we are asking that capacity in child care centres be immediately reduced to no more than 50 per cent and that it be applied to each ‘classroom’, not each ‘centre’. They must stop enforcing that rule only by ‘centre’,” explains Nickerson. “While one classroom may … Read more…

CUPE 759 ratifies new contract with Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Members of CUPE 759, representing outside workers employed by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, avoiding a lockout or strike. The union’s membership voted in favour of the new contract at meetings held today. The collective agreement must now be approved by the employer. The agreement is effective retroactively from November 1, 2020, until October 31, 2024. “We believe this is a fair deal for our members and for the public we serve,” says CUPE 759 President Kevin Ivey, who thanked the bargaining committee for their hard work and praised members for their support and solidarity. CUPE Local 759 represents approximately 300 members employed by CBRM who work in transit, public works, water and waste water management, parks and grounds maintenance, building and arena maintenance, as well as cleaning and janitorial services.

CUPE flag. Canadian Union of Public Employees

Union representing most continuing care assistants says more details are needed from Nova Scotia government

“Some of what we heard today was a previously announced commitment that should be well underway by now,” says Nan McFadgen, president of CUPE Nova Scotia, which represents the majority of continuing care assistants (CCAs) and other staff working in long-term care.  At a news conference held this morning, Minister Barbara Adams and Premier Tim Houston announced an investment of $57 million to recruit and retain CCAs and add more beds in long-term care.  “We’ve been calling for stronger investment, and we welcome the increase in funding that will cover 100 per cent of tuition for students who want to become CCAs. That is a good thing, and it will help with recruitment,” says Louise Riley, chair of CUPE’s long term-care and community services coordinating committee.  “But realistically, it is better wages and increased staffing levels that will keep the CCAs we have now and attract the 1,400 additional CCAs … Read more…