Tension, confusion growing as potential school support workers strike looms in Nova Scotia

Tension is building for families, school support workers and education administrators across Nova Scotia bracing for a possible provincewide labour disruption Monday.

Following a failed round of bargaining last week, more than 5,500 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members entered into a legal strike position. The earliest they could hit the picket lines would be the start of the upcoming school week, although the latest communication from Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) leadership described how they have not yet received any formal notification from the union.

“We continue to hope that a resolution will be reached at the bargaining table and that job action can be avoided,” Steve Gallagher, HRCE regional executive director, wrote in a letter to families Wednesday.

“At this time, we have not received the required 48-hours’ notice of strike action. We will let you know as soon as we have any new information. It’s important to note that the employee groups that CUPE represents vary throughout Nova Scotia, meaning the impacts of a strike will be different in each region and for CSAP (Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial).”

The HRCE letter reminded parents that teachers and EXCEL employees are not part of the potential job action, and the school lunch program would continue even if there is a work stoppage.

But education program assistants (EPAs), and a variety of childhood educators, youth care practitioners, and student support and outreach workers will be affected. Pre-Primary programs will also be paused in the event of a strike.

“I know this uncertainty is difficult,” Gallagher said in his letter. “Our hope remains that an agreement will be reached and there will be no disruption for students and families.”

There are eight regional centres for education in Nova Scotia, as well as eight individual union locals representing members in each area, so there are some variations from region to region regarding what other support workers are affected.

It is on a case-by-case basis, but some bus drivers, custodians, tradespeople, maintenance workers, technology staff, secretaries, cafeteria employees, outdoor supervisors and library technicians are affected in some places. Some students will also be switching to online or home learning, depending on the region and their grade.

The problem for parents and students is there are no reliable online information hubs or notices provided by the various centres for education, so families are relying on emails from their schools or the centre for education in their area. This is creating a degree of confusion and, in some cases, parents aren’t sure what’s going on for their kids who go to the same school.

“So let me understand this, it’s OK for my one kid to go but the other has to stay home if they strike?? What a joke,” Jennifer N. Zwicker posted on Facebook, along with a photo of the notice she received from Bridgewater Junior High School.

“This best get resolved soon as I have a feeling there will be lots of kids not going to school during this time!!!!”

Among the replies to her post was one from Shanene Nicole: “I’m so confused on this. My daughters are in grades 6 and 8 but attending the same school. (Grades) 7-9 do online while grade 6 still go to school!?”

Added Monika Dawn: “This is soooo frustrating for parents. I hope this doesn’t happen.”

Replied Ashley Langille: “I found this email very confusing. I’m sure there are many like us who rely on busing. If a strike goes through mine will be staying home as there’s not another way to get them to and from.”

In a separate Facebook post, Haley Pancura-LeBlanc shared a video of herself explaining how all the uncertainty is affecting her.

“First off, I want to say how I fully support the EPAs and school support staff,” she said. “These workers are essential, and they support children with disabilities and those with additional needs. They deserve fair wages, a safe working environment, and the resources they need to do their job. But I am also a single mom to three boys, and I am the parent to a child with autism, and right now I’m facing a situation that could change the future of my family.

“Starting on October 26, I’ve been told that my son can only attend school for an hour-and-a-half a day. My son deserves the opportunity to learn and grow and be a part of a school community just like every other child. When I spoke with the school principal, we discussed an alternate opportunity, and I was told that I or someone who knows him really well could come help support him through the school day so that he could attend for longer. And I really appreciate that an alternative was discussed, and I’m willing to work with the school because I want to find a solution. But the problem is that the solution still leaves the responsibility on me, his family.

“I am currently going back to school and trying to build a really strong, stable future for me and my kids. And if my son needs someone familiar at school with him, and that person is me, then I am going to have to leave school to be there to support him. I know that I am not the only parent facing impossible decisions and choices like this. I want to be so clear, I am not blaming EPAs in any way. I fully support them. I believe they deserve better conditions. I believe our education system needs to be better for both staff and students. But supporting workers and protecting the rights of children with disabilities should not be mutually exclusive.

“My child did not create the staffing crisis. He should not have to lose meaningful access to his education because the supports he depends on are unavailable, and parents should not be expected to fill the gaps at the expense of their own education, employment, or financial stability. I am asking our provincial government, our minister of education, and my MLA to take this very seriously. What practical alternatives are available for those children who need additional supports? How are their educational needs going to be met, and what happens to the parents who can’t simply leave school or work to provide that support themselves?”

Holly Lawrence also made an impassioned post on Facebook.

“I am angry,” she wrote. “CUPE is set to strike again. I am not angry that the people who work so hard to support my son are fighting for better wages and working conditions. I am angry that once again, the Houston government is proving that the disability community is not a priority for them. Once again, they are failing the most vulnerable members of our population. Once again, Tim Houston is willing to deny a portion of the population access to education.

“Last time there was a strike, it cost so much more than a wage increase. It cost my son progress he had fought so hard to make. It cost him the security of his routine and the comfort of knowing he was part of the school community. It cost me hours and hours of making phone calls and writing emails to politicians who ignored my existence. It cost me in stress, money, and mental health.

“Worse, it cost our children good people who love their jobs and work so hard to do right by our kids. Many CUPE members have made the decision that, while they love their jobs and the work is incredibly important, they simply cannot afford to continue in the field. I fully support the members of CUPE.”

A request to CUPE for updates was not answered.