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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
CUPE to Issue 48-Hour Strike Notice If Wage Deal Fails
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing school support workers across Nova Scotia, has announced that it will issue a 48-hour strike notice on Friday unless their wage increase demand is met. The union is seeking an hourly wage increase of at least $3.50 over four years for its members.
Union Outlines Wage Increase Demand
The Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, responsible for bargaining on behalf of affected CUPE members, shared a bargaining update earlier this week. The council made it clear that, should their wage demand not be reflected in a new contract offer from the employer, they will move ahead with plans for job action.
According to the union, failure to reach an agreement could lead to a provincewide strike beginning Monday, November 2. Their wage increase demand is intended to ensure that the lowest-paid CUPE members would earn at least $24 an hour.
Who Is Represented by CUPE?
CUPE represents approximately 5,500 school support workers throughout Nova Scotia. Their members include early childhood educators in pre-primary programs, educational program assistants, teaching assistants, bus drivers, librarians, janitors, cafeteria workers, and African Nova Scotian and Mi'kmaw student support staff, among others. The union's reach varies by region, as it represents different types of workers in each regional education centre and for the French school board, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.
Bargaining Update and Union's Position
In its statement, the council said, "This weekend, we were hoping that government and the employers would come back to the table, knowing that a strike is looming. Instead of taking the opportunity to settle our contract before job action, they're trying to wait us out." The union emphasized that its preference is to avoid striking, urging the government and employers to return to negotiations before Monday.
Nelson Scott, chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, spoke to CBC Radio's Information Morning Cape Breton on Wednesday morning. He stated, "We want them to come back to the table before Monday, over the weekend, whatever the case may be, to give us a good minimum wage that we can live with so we can move forward. We don't want to be on strike. We want to be in the school doing what we do to help the students and support the students and their families."
Potential Impacts of a Provincewide Strike
If the union's deadline is not met and a strike occurs, the impact will vary by region, as CUPE represents different sets of school support workers in each area. The union has stressed its commitment to negotiating and hopes to avoid disruption in schools, but maintains that a fair wage increase is necessary.
Next Steps in Labour Negotiations
With the deadline set for Friday to issue a 48-hour strike notice, the focus is now on whether the government and school boards will return to the bargaining table. CUPE members and school communities across Nova Scotia await further developments as the clock counts down to a potential strike affecting thousands of educational support staff.
Source: cbc.ca.
