Paper Dolls Chain Solidarity

Support for 400 school support staff as potential job action approaches at Chignecto-Central schools

The Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU) is issuing a statement of solidarity with the 400 members of the CUPE Local 3890, who work at schools with the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education. “Members of the Council of Unions will stand in solidarity on the picket line with CUPE 3890 if it comes to that,” says Cindy Courtney, chairperson of the NSSBCU. “No one wants to take job action, but sometimes it’s necessary. We understand the frustrations felt by Chignecto workers. Cutbacks to staff are causing issues in every ‘education centre’ and school across the province.” Members of CUPE 3890 will take a strike vote on September 23, 2018. The strike vote will authorize the union leadership to go ahead with job action if necessary, which potentially could happen at the end of the month. “Parents and the public should be aware that by dissolving school boards and … Read more…

Empty classroom and school desks

Contract talks fail between education support staff and Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education

Conciliation efforts have failed say representatives of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents education support staff at the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education. On Thursday, September 13, CUPE Local 3890 asked the conciliation officer to file their report. Once the report is filed, a two-week countdown will be triggered to the date that the union will be in a legal strike position. Negotiations began March 2, 2018 and moved into conciliation on May 22, 2018. This has been a difficult round of bargaining, as both parties struggle to find a deal under the pressure that Bill 148, which imposed restrictions on both parties. “We are hopeful that the employer will take a very short pause and return to the table with a more reasonable approach to negotiations so that we can reach a fairly bargained settlement and avoid a strike,” says CUPE National Representative Grant Dart. Members of … Read more…

Member update on health care bargaining

Bargaining Update: Council of Unions – Health Support Unit

Collective bargaining between the Council of Unions – Health Support Unit and the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Children’s Hospital took place August 27 to 30. The Council exchanged proposals with the employer on August 26 followed by three days of bargaining.

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