Picket Lines Up At Halifax Area Schools As Support Workers Strike

Picket lines are set up at many schools in the Halifax region today by striking CUPE Local 5047 members.

Schools remain open, but pre-primary classes are cancelled and those who help students who need one-on-one assistance are striking. Some families with children who have complex special needs are being told to keep their children home.

More than 1,800 Halifax Regional Centre for Education employees are on strike. They include early childhood educators, assistive technology support workers, Mi’kmaw and Indigenous student support workers, African Nova Scotian school support workers, child and youth care practitioners, SchoolsPlus community outreach workers and school library specialists.

Halifax CUPE members rejected a tentative agreement that was reached between the province and the Union. Members in other areas of the province voted to accept the agreement of a 6.5% wage increase over a three year contract.