Update on NSSBCU Wage Harmonization

Since the ratification of collective agreements in May and June we have begun the process of harmonizing wages across the province. The goal is to raise the hourly rate for education support staff up to the highest rate within each classification, where there is a reasonable comparator. The joint union-employer committee has met six times since mid-June to review classifications of all support staff in the k-12 sector in Nova Scotia. At our last meeting, on October 31, we discussed one classification from the student support group and the student supervision classifications. To date, we have discussed 7 of the classification groupings: Secretarial (except for the Account Clerk) Technology Student support (except for CYCP & Parent Navigator) Property Services Transportation Library services Student supervision We have not yet reviewed the cafeteria classifications. We have agreement in principle on 8 different classifications in the Secretarial, Student Support and Library Services groups. … Read more…

Case workers at Community Justice Society vote for job action

Employees at the Community Justice Society in Halifax took a strike vote today that was 100 percent in favour of job action. The eight restorative justice workers are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4764. They have been without a contract since March 31, 2021. CUPE National Representative Mark Cunningham says the employer’s wage offer is an insult to these workers, “who do not have an easy job.” “They work with all of the people harmed by a crime, including the victim, the offender and the community,” says Cunningham, “It’s a difficult population to manage.” In addition, he says, the work has become more complex as the employees now work with adult offenders as well as youth, yet wages have not increased to reflect the new responsibilities. “The services these workers provide have historically been undervalued,” says Cunningham. “They perform work that is similar to probation officers, … Read more…

Remembrance Day 2023

CUPE Nova Scotia marks Remembrance Day by honouring those who served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have the freedoms that we enjoy today.   Lest We Forget