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- calendar_today October 30, 2026
Introduction: School Support Workers Prepare for Strike Action
The union representing school support workers in Nova Scotia announced it will file a 48-hour strike notice after overnight contract negotiations with the province ended without a resolution. If no agreement is reached, more than 5,500 workers could be on the picket lines as early as Monday.
Union Demands and Breakdown in Talks
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been negotiating on behalf of its members, which includes educational program assistants (EPAs), teaching assistants, early childhood educators, librarians, bus drivers, janitors, and cafeteria workers. The union is seeking a $3.50 per hour wage increase for all members by 2029. According to Nelson Scott, chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU) and president of CUPE Local 5050, the latest offer from the government did not meet this demand.
“We came back to the bargaining table anticipating that government would make meaningful changes to their final offer,” said Scott in a news release. “Ultimately, what they brought us does not get most members to $3.50 by 2030, let alone by 2029.”
Who Is Affected by the Potential Strike?
If the strike goes ahead, approximately 5,500 individuals working in various support roles across Nova Scotia's school system will participate. Their roles are essential to daily school operations, including direct student support, transportation, facilities maintenance, and food services.
Response from Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE)
The Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) has indicated that it is actively preparing for the potential implications of the school staff strike. A spokesperson for HRCE noted that principals are working with families whose children require the support of EPAs, handling the circumstances and needs case by case.
Implications of Strike Notice and Next Steps
The official filing of a 48-hour strike notice means that unless a last-minute agreement is reached, picket lines could form as early as Monday. The union’s stance centers on the belief that their wage increase demand is necessary for fair compensation, while the government’s final offer has not satisfied this need as stated by union representatives. The situation remains tense as negotiations have reached an impasse, with both the union and the province’s bargaining teams under pressure to resolve the dispute.
Conclusion
The potential for a school support workers’ strike in Nova Scotia puts thousands of education staff and students on edge as the Monday deadline approaches. The outcome of ongoing union negotiations will determine if schools face significant disruptions stemming from this labour action.
Related coverage
Source: globalnews.ca.
