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We appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed vocational rehabilitation (VR) policies. There is a great deal to like in the draft policies, including several changes that improve flexibility and recognize the importance of meaningful VR services.

At the same time, there are several significant concerns and oversights that should be addressed before the policies are finalized.

We also wish to note our concern about reports that the Board is already training staff in these policies and is scheduled to bring them before the Board of Directors next week. Neither circumstance gives us confidence in the sincerity of the consultation process or in the Board’s intention to meaningfully review stakeholder recommendations for change prior to implementation.

Our recommendations are outlined in this document. Despite our reservations, we trust they will be given due consideration before the policies are finalized.

The post Response to Nova Scotia WCB Policy Proposals: Vocational Rehabilitation appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

David Etherington
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Cell: 902-292-7991
Email: david@nslabour.ca

                       

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The Halifax Day of Mourning Ceremony is at Province House (outside grounds) at 11 am on Tuesday, April 28.

This day is a solemn reminder that workplace safety must remain a top priority for all employers and workers. For the Federation and its affiliated unions, the Day of Mourning is a day when we collectively call for action and continue advocating for safer working conditions, improved safety standards, and enhanced protection for workers across the province.

As a collective voice for workers in Nova Scotia, the Federation of Labour recognizes the importance of the National Day of Mourning in raising awareness about workplace safety issues. Since the Westray Bill was enacted in 1982, almost 700 workers have died at or because of work in our small province and it’s estimated that 1000 workers are killed on the job across Canada annually. Last year 22 workers in our province lost their life at or because of work.

The day serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the daily risks and hazards many workers face, particularly those in high-risk occupations.

Through events and ceremonies held on this day, the Federation of Labour and its members aim to promote a workplace safety culture and encourage employers to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees.

The National Day of Mourning is also a chance for the Federation to come together with its members and the broader community to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives or have been injured on the job.

By organizing and participating in events such as candlelight vigils, flag-raising ceremonies, and moments of silence, or ceremonies like this today, the Federation of Labour and its members pay their respects to those impacted by workplace accidents.

This day is a powerful reminder that every worker has the right to a safe and healthy work environment and must work together to prevent future tragedies.

The following ceremonies will be observed in Nova Scotia this year:

Annapolis Valley Labour Council

Kentville Memorial Park — at Workers’ Memorial Stone Monument

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Contact: Leslie Campbell at Annapolis Valley Labour Council – email: lccp66@hotmail.com

Wreaths available for order from Silver Horse Florist:  (902) 678-4728

Nova Scotia Federation of Labour 

Nova Scotia Legislature (Province House) outside grounds 

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:00am

Contact: Amy Morris at NS Federation of Labour: (902) 454-6735 / email: accounts@nslabour.ca

Wreaths available for order from Flower Trends Florists: (902) 434-5150. 

Cutoff for orders is April 20^th

Cape Breton District Labour Council

Ashby Legion, 35 State Street, Sydney

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Contact: Natasha Hogan – email: natasha.hogan.cbdlc@hotmail.com

Wreaths available for order from MacKillops Flowers: (902) 539-1214

Pictou County Injured Workers Association

Trenton Park, 119 Park Road, Trenton

Tuesday, April 28, 2024 at 6:00pm

Contact: Mary Lloyd – email: marypciwa@eastlink.ca

Wreaths available for order from McKean’s Flowers: (902) 752-4146

The post Day of Mourning – April 28 appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

The WCB Appeals System is a fundamental safeguard for workers’ rights. When the Workers’ Compensation Board makes a decision that affects income, health care, or return to work, there must be a fair and effective mechanism for workers to challenge that decision. Workers rely on the appeals system to correct errors and ensure decisions are consistent with the law, the evidence, and the principles of justice that underlie workers’ compensation.

Workers expect a system that delivers fairness, accountability, and justice for those injured or killed on the job. To achieve this, the appeals system must be clear and consistent, timely, and non-adversarial.

The timing of this review is important. Workers are concerned with the timeliness and clarity of WCB decisions and appeals, and increasingly we feel the Board is struggling to understand its mandate.

The WCB is born from the 1913 Royal Commission that was tasked with creating a fair and balanced workers’ compensation system in Canada.  The Meredith Commission resulted in the “historic compromise” that remains at the heart of Canada’s workers’ compensation systems today. Workers gave up the right to sue for workplace injuries or illnesses. Employers agreed to fund a no‑fault independently administered compensation system for injured workers.

Workers’ Compensation is a quasi-judicial system.  It stands in the place of courts to protect Worker’s rights.  WCB decides whether workers’ claims are accepted and what benefits workers receive.  WCB decisions have profound impacts on workers’ lives. 

Workers are counting on the review to make recommendations that better align WCB with its role as a fair and just arbiter for the working people of Nova Scotia.

The post TOWARDS A BETTER SYSTEM: An urgent call to action to improve WCB appeals appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

“While it’s true the minimum wage is going up, this increase is in no way sufficient to address the skyrocketing prices facing workers in our province,” said Melissa Marsman, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. “When workers cannot afford food, rent, gas, or heat, that is a sign of a real affordability crisis.”

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculates a living wage in Nova Scotia at $27.60/hour. The gap between the province’s living wage and minimum wage, $10.85/hour, is the largest in Atlantic Canada, and represents an annual shortfall of $19,747.00 for workers earning the minimum wage.

“The problem of low wages is especially serious for families with children and single parents,” said Marsman. “The government needs to develop and implement a plan that would see all workers in Nova Scotia earn at least a living wage.”

In October 2025, workers from across Nova Scotia came together at the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Convention and passed a resolution calling on the provincial government to work with unions and community groups to create a plan for a living wage for all workers in Nova Scotia.

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The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour is the central provincial voice for Nova Scotia workers. The Fed represents thousands of union members, lobbying the provincial government for justice and fairness for workers across the province.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with NSFL President Melissa Marsman, please contact:

David Etherington, NSFL Communications Coordinator, (cell) 902-292-7991, david@nslabour.ca

The post April Fools: No living wage for workers in Nova Scotia appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

Click here to send a letter!

By sending a letter to your MLA, you can let them know the stakes and why they must vote no to this budget.

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Women in Nova Scotia continue to face persistent wage gaps, disproportionate levels of precarity, and systemic barriers to advancement. They make up the majority of workers in care, education, and service sectors—jobs that are essential to our society yet remain undervalued and underpaid. These inequities are not accidental; they are the result of political choices. And they can be changed by making different choices. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” speaks directly to what workers in this province have been demanding for years. Investing in women means investing in public services, in fair wages, in safe workplaces, and in strong, enforceable labour rights. It means ensuring that no woman has to choose between her safety and her job, her family and her income, or her dignity and her livelihood. 

We also recognize the urgent need to address gender-based violence, both in workplaces and in the broader community. Violence is a labour issue. It affects workers’ health, economic security, and ability to fully participate in society. The Federation calls on the provincial government to strengthen protections, expand supports, and ensure that every employer meets their obligations to provide a safe and respectful workplace. 

International Women’s Day is a reminder that when women rise, workers rise. When women win, communities win. And when we organize, we build the power needed to create real, lasting change. 

The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour remains committed to fighting for a province where every woman—no matter her job, income, background, or identity—can live and work with equality, safety, and respect. 

Nova Scotia Federation of  Labour 

Melissa Marsman – President 

Donna Gillis – General VP – Chairperson of the Women’s Committee 

The post International Women’s Day 2026  appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

Earlier today, The Honourable Justice Ann E. Smith of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled that Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability Act, is unconstitutional. Workers are demanding that Tim Houston follow through on his election promise and publicly commit there will be no government appeal to this ruling.

Justice Smith found:

“[…] in removing wages from the items up for negotiation, the Act materially undermined the ability of the Applicant Unions to effectively bargain for their members.”

“It is clear to this Court that the removal of the long service awards, along with the wage restraint caps imposed by the Act, had a hugely negative impact on the bargaining power of the Applicant Unions, and thereby their ability to meaningfully negotiate on behalf of their members.”

“Bill 148 substantially interfered with the ability of the Applicant Unions to exert meaningful influence over important working conditions through a process of good faith collective bargaining.”

“Bill 148 removed the Applicant Unions’ leverage on monetary items and thereby upset the balance of power between the parties and negated the ability of the Unions to engage in meaningful bargaining.”

“The evidence shows, and I find that Bill 148 did not respect the principle of the duty to consult and negotiate in good faith.”

Thank you to everyone who persevered over the last 10-years in fighting this bill. This ruling is because of you.

By infringing on the Charter rights of workers to full, free and fair collective bargaining, workers lost out on wages and benefits that should rightfully be theirs.

This started with Stephen McNeil and it needs to end with Tim Houston. The government’s sole focus should now be to make amends for how they treated these workers.

This should not be politically difficult for the government. In 2021, when campaigning for workers’ votes, Tim Houston agreed that this law needed to be made null and void. With the Legislature sitting, he can commit there will be no appeal, and do it from the floor of the House. There must be no question that this stain on the history of workers’ rights in Nova Scotia is behind us, and that the workers harmed by Bill 148 will get the justice they deserve.

Melissa Marsman, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour

Sandra Mullen, President, Nova Scotia General Employees Union

Alan Linkletter, President, CUPE Nova Scotia

Peter Day, President, Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Janet Hazelton, President, Nova Scotia Nurses Union

Jennifer Murray, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director, Unifor

Kevin MacMullin, Business Agent, IOUE Local 727

Tina Oh, Vice President Eastern Canada, SEIU Local 2

Toni MacAfee, National Director, CUPW, Atlantic Region 

For more information or to arrange interviews contact: David Etherington, NSFL Communications Coordinator, at (902) 292-7991.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour is the provincial voice of the Labour Movement, representing 70,000 members in over 400 union locals.

The post In a major victory for workers, judge rules Bill 148 unconstitutional appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

We will be presenting the 2026 Sister of the Year Award as well as a New Sister of the Year Award for a sister who is just beginning their union activism journey.

It will be a buffet-style breakfast of: Eggs, bacon, hash browns, fruit, assortment of scones, loafs and cinnamon rolls, juices and coffee/tea.

The IWD breakfast will also host panel speakers that will address topics related to gender-based violence. We recognize that these discussions can be triggering or distressing for some. We will encourage you to engage in a way that feels safe for you.

We will be accepting donations of feminine hygiene products for period poverty.

The post NSFL International Women’s Day Breakfast 2026 appeared first on Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.