Danny Cavanagh, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, joins NSGEU rally

I was proud to stand in solidarity with Nova Scotia’s NSGEU Local 480 Correctional Officers with the NSGEU Board of Directors and others rallying in front of the Department of Justice to highlight the important service they provide. These hardworking individuals are the backbone of our provincial justice system and deserve fair treatment, respect, and proper compensation for their essential work.

Joining us were NS NDP MLA’s Krista Gallagher and the NDP Labour Critic Paul Wozney, along with NSGEU president Sandra Mullen and 1st VP Hugh Gillis.

Correctional officers in Nova Scotia are facing a crisis. Chronic staff shortages have left them struggling to maintain safety and security in our correctional facilities. This issue not only puts these workers at risk but also impacts the well-being of inmates. Over a year ago, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia found that inmates were being unlawfully confined for up to 22 hours a day due to understaffing. While some improvements have been made, the staffing issues persist, and correctional officers are still left to bear the brunt of this crisis.

One of the key barriers to solving this issue is wages. Nova Scotia’s correctional officers are the lowest paid in the country. How can we expect to recruit and retain skilled workers when they earn less than people in other sectors who deal with similar challenges? These officers work in high-stress environments, ensuring public safety, yet struggle to provide for their families. What was once considered a stable, respectable career has become a job that barely allows workers to make ends meet. The Government of Nova Scotia must address this crisis. Fair wages are not just about money. They’re about respect, dignity, and recognizing the value of correctional officers’ daily work.

The current offer from the employer has already been rejected by members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU), and the union has had to apply for arbitration to move forward. This shows that workers are not being heard. As the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, I urge the government to listen to these workers and take meaningful action. It’s time for fair wages and adequate staffing levels to ensure the safety of the correction officers, inmates, and the public. The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour fully supports this fight for justice.