Standing with teachers and education workers as they return to classrooms

As September begins, classrooms across Nova Scotia once again fill with the excitement and energy of a new school year. At the heart of it all are the teachers and education workers in the primary to grade12 system who give their time, knowledge, and care to help our children learn, grow, and succeed.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour proudly stands with these workers. We call on the Minister of Education and the provincial government to work with, not against, the unions that represent education workers. Real solutions for the challenges in our schools can only come through collaboration and respect.

Teachers and support staff are not just employees. They are mentors, role models, and community leaders who shape the next generation of Nova Scotians. They deserve more than kind words in September. They deserve respect, fair treatment, and meaningful action from the government. For too long, teachers and education workers have been asked to do more with less: overcrowded classrooms, heavier workloads, chronic underfunding, and increased demands without the proper supports. This must change. When we support these workers, we strengthen public education. And when education is strong, all of Nova Scotia is strong.

A quality public education system depends on respecting collective bargaining rights and listening to the voices of workers. Their rights must never be undermined. We urge the government to listen to the front-line workers’ concerns through their unions so they can focus on what matters most: the success and well-being of our kids.

Education is not a cost to be cut. It is an investment in our future. Smaller class sizes, updated resources, fair wages, enough staff, and safe workplaces are the building blocks of success. Cutting corners burns out workers, harms students, and undermines the entire system. Nova Scotia is facing a severe shortage of teachers and education support workers. We cannot afford to lose more. The answer is clear: retain our current workers with fair wages, manageable workloads, and safe schools, while also attracting new workers into the profession.

Everyone has the right to feel safe at school. Violence in classrooms is unacceptable, and the government must take real steps to address it with proper support and prevention measures. This September, as teachers and education support staff welcome students back, let us do more than say “welcome back.” Let’s give them the respect, resources, and recognition they deserve. The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour and our 70,000 members will always stand with education workers because when we stand up for education, we stand up for the future of all Nova Scotians.