School students using hand sanitizer after entering a classroom.

School support staff raise concerns about inadequate funding and staffing

Representatives of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Nova Scotia Division say the Province’s plan to re-open schools is missing important details to ensure that students, and staff, can return to school safely. “CUPE education support workers make safe and inclusive learning in Nova Scotia schools possible,” says CUPE NS President Nan McFadgen. “Today’s announcement leaves our members with many questions. What we didn’t see today was the additional resources that will be needed due to COVID.” During his announcement today, the Minister stated that the funding needed for the re-entry plan is covered by the budget already set aside for inclusive education. CUPE believes that statement is misleading and hopes the Minister will amend the plan, so that the resources needed to meet both COVID related guidelines and inclusive education will be met. “When will Minister Churchill announce the funding and staffing increases that are needed to implement … Read more…

Joint news conference with 5 presidents of health care unions and media

Nurses grow impatient as province remains inactive on compensation for expanded role

A news conference was held July 22, 2020, by the five presidents of health care unions in Nova Scotia (CUPE NS, NSGEU, NSNU, Unifor and SEIU). Please see the news release and video of the news conference below. Watch the video News release A joint news release from CUPE NS, NSGEU, NSNU, Unifor and SEIU. Close to 4,000 nurses across Nova Scotia say they’re tired of waiting for government and their employers to implement a pay increase they are owed. Five unions representing licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are asking for immediate action and compensation for all LPNs, regardless of where they work, following the June 15th Consent Award granting a 12 per cent increase to LPNs represented by the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) at the former Capital District Health Authority. The increase is retroactive to March 17, 2014. The award does not apply to LPNs represented … Read more…

CUPE Nova Scotia hosts first ever anti-Black racism panel discussion

A heartfelt, uncomfortable and necessary conversation by CUPE members about their experiences with racism in the workplace and the union. In response to recent events, members of CUPE Nova Scotia’s Human Rights Committee and Division Executive came together to discuss what could be done, as a union, to better serve our racialized members. The group decided a good first step was to host a panel discussion about anti-Black racism in our union, which took place via Zoom on July 8, 2020. It is the hope of everyone who participated that, as trade unionists, we do better to represent Black members, by supporting their voices in our union and in our workplaces. Panelists included Calvin Scott, African NS student support worker and member of CUPE 5047; Yolanda McClean, CUPE National diversity vice-president, racialized workers and a member of CUPE 4400; and Donna McCarthy, CUPE NS Human Rights Committee co-chair and member … Read more…