MEDIA RELEASE: NSGEU Files 48-Hour Strike Notice for School Support Workers in AVRCE

This morning, the NSGEU served 48-hour strike notice to the Minister of Labour on behalf of members working at Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education (AVRCE). This means that more than 600 school support workers at AVRCE will be in a legal strike position by Sunday. The union intends to take the workers on strike Thursday, October 13th if no deal can be reached.

“We need to recruit and retain these workers,” said NSGEU President Sandra Mullen, “Right now some of these workers would make more working in fast food than they are supporting children in our school system.”

Regional Centres for Education and government are not addressing the issues causing severe shortages in the sector, and workers are being forced to strike so they can be there to support students in the future.

The members are asking for a fair job evaluation process that will provide a comprehensive review of all positions and their corresponding compensation.

“We know that students and parents have been through a lot over the past few years, and our members don’t want to go on strike. But they are being forced to take a stand to have issues of fair pay finally resolved, so they can help strengthen and improve our public education system,” said Mullen.

Members of this local include Educational Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Student Support Workers, Outreach workers, Parent Navigators, Library Personnel, Child and Youth Practitioners, Native Student Advisors, Literacy Support Workers and Student Supervisors.

Parents of children in the AVRCE should start making alternate arrangements for care if their child relies on the services of any of the above-mentioned workers, as these staff may be off the job starting on Thursday.