Statement by Nan McFadgen on Bill 72, the Nova Scotia Education Reform Act

The following remarks were made by CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen before the Law Amendments Committee on Bill 72, the Education Reform Act, in the Nova Scotia Legislature this morning. Good morning. My name is Nan McFadgen and I am the President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Nova Scotia Division. CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with more than 650,000 members across the country. In Nova Scotia, CUPE proudly represents more than 19,000 men and women working in communities throughout the province to deliver important public services in education, both school boards and post-secondary; healthcare, hospitals, long-term care and home care; municipalities; provincial highways; and community services, among other sectors of the economy. I want to thank the members of the Law Amendments Committee for this opportunity to speak to Bill 72 today. In my remarks, I will address three points: The need for meaningful consultation The … Read more…

Halifax Regional School Board sign

Halifax Regional School Board and support staff ratify new contract

The Halifax Regional School Board has ratified a new collective agreement, with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5047, at a board meeting held on February 28, 2018. CUPE is the first union to finalize a collective agreement on behalf of school board workers since the introduction of the Liberal government’s Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability Act. The union’s previous collective agreement expired on July 31, 2014. “CUPE is pleased to announce that both parties have ratified the tentative agreement,” says CUPE National representative Karen MacKenzie. “The contract is now being filed with the Nova Scotia Labour Board.” Union members ratified the tentative agreement at meetings held in February. The agreement addresses issues of importance to CUPE members including changes to the job postings process, lay off protection, seniority with school closures, and protection for library workers/volunteers. CUPE 5047 represents approximately 1,000 employees of the Halifax Regional School Board, … Read more…

Cape Breton University

Support staff reach tentative agreement with Cape Breton University

Support staff at Cape Breton University, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3131, are pleased to announce that the union reached a tentative agreement with their employer on Thursday, February 22, 2018. CUPE National Representative Kathy MacLeod confirmed that the deal was reached with the assistance of a conciliation officer supplied by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education. No further details will be released until the agreement is presented to the members of CUPE 3131. “I would like to thank our bargaining team and union representatives for their commitment and hard work. I would also like to thank our membership for their support throughout this process,” CUPE 3131 President Darren MacKinnon. “We will now submit the tentative agreement to members for ratification.” CUPE Local 3131 represents approximately 65 members who work as administrative and support staff at Cape Breton University.