Member update for school board sector – February 15, 2018

As you are all aware the teachers (NSTU) are taking a strike vote this coming Tuesday, February 20. As I am also sure you have heard, any action that may result from this vote would indeed be an illegal action. While CUPE does and will continue to support all the unions affected by the upcoming legislation for the school board sector, we have our own plan to deal with these potential changes. We will continue to follow our plans and not follow the lead of other unions. Important dates and details  Feb 20 NSTU vote There is also an ALL UNION press conference at 10 a.m. that we encourage you to watch for information Feb 21 First possible date that NSTU could take action (be aware that NSTU is not required to take action on this date and may look at other more strategic opportunities) Feb 27 Legislature called back … Read more…

Member update on health care bargaining

Member update on health care bargaining – February 15, 2018

The Nova Scotia Council of Health Care Unions, NSHA, and IWK just completed six days of conciliation. The parties have agreed to another 11 days of bargaining over the course of the next few months. Bargaining in January and February produced some steady progress. But, the Employers also tabled some significant takeaways. The Employers made a brand-new proposal that would allow them to transfer employees anywhere they wished in the province. The Employers argued that these staff transfers could be temporary or permanent. After more than a year of bargaining, the Employers tabled their sick leave proposal. The Employers proposed placing all members of the bargaining unit into an Accumulated Sick Leave plan. This would mean taking the Short-Term illness plan from the NSGEU members who currently have it.  The Council of Unions has proposed moving all bargaining unit members into the Short-Term Illness plan with an MOA designed to … Read more…

Classroom desks: School board support staff voice concerns about restructuring of the Nova Scotia education system

School board support staff voice concerns about restructuring of the Nova Scotia education system

“Support staff in schools across Nova Scotia are concerned that restructuring school boards will create unstable labour relations, much like what we’ve seen happen to our health care system,” says Nan McFadgen, president of CUPE Nova Scotia. “They feel this will also negatively impact quality of education for students.” “Any restructuring will create massive disruption to our education system – not just for teachers, but also for education assistants, secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, mechanics, librarians, community outreach workers, as well as many other hard working and vital front line school board workers,” says McFadgen. As the Nova Scotia education system is restructured, the “entire” sector is going to be struggling to figure out what this new education system and sector of work looks like. “It should be noted that the government is silent on labour relations issues. With several of our locals currently engaged in collective bargaining, this restructuring creates … Read more…