
The Federation of Labour in Nova Scotia applauds the 5000 CUPE School Board workers standing up for better education in our province
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanagh responds to news that members of the CUPE School Board Council of Unions, representing the 5,000 workers in the P to 12 education sectors, are looking for fairness from the Government.
“Let’s be clear,” says Cavanagh, “workers have little power without the leverage associated with strikes or the threat of strikes.”. Ordinary working people have truly little bargaining power without the ability to withdraw their valuable labour.
The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with 5,000 CUPE education support workers in our province. We should applaud workers for using their collective power to bargain for fairness, respect, safety, and higher wages in 2025. Their courage in this fight is truly admirable. Their work, done in pursuit of the education and well-being of our children, is invaluable, and we support their struggle for better working conditions and fair compensation.
We call upon the Minister to respect the traditional central table negotiations for wages and common proposals. This has worked well for our province through the years and should be restored immediately so meaningful discussions can be had. This matter is of immense importance and needs urgent attention.
We applaud their efforts toward better occupation health and safety protocols, which are fully justified and indispensable for the well-being of our entire education system. We join the call for immediate attention to understaffing and workplace safety, as these need to be attended to so that staff and students can have a safe environment.
The alarming rate at which workers in schools are facing violent incidents is unacceptable. These incidents not only put their physical safety at risk, but also cause severe stress and hurts mental health. We agree that the Government needs to act on these matters to create a safe and supportive learning environment for workers and children in our schools.
We strongly support the demands for wages that keep pace with inflation. In these difficult economic times, compensation must reflect the increased cost of living and the essential nature of your work. Your fight for fair compensation is not just about your well-being but about economic justice for all workers in our society. The urgency of your situation is a cause for concern for all of us. It is very hard to fathom why the inactions of the Government to resolve your issues have taken close to a year, and that is just not acceptable by a government that claims to respect the workers and the process of collective bargaining. Actions, as we all know, speak louder than words. The Government’s inaction with the school board membership to get it done is horrible to behold.
The overwhelming 94% vote in favour of strike action demonstrates the unity and determination of the membership. Know that this forms the backbone of our schools and that the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour stands with CUPE School Board workers in their fight for fair treatment, safe working conditions, and wages that recognize their invaluable contribution to our society.
We pledge our full support in this struggle. Their fight is our fight, and together, we will ensure that our voices are heard, and rights are respected. Our common cause of better labour rights unites us in this fight.