Media Release: NSGEU stands united with teachers

The McNeil Liberals have spent four years dismantling the health system while front line health care workers were locked out of the process and now the system is in crisis. McNeil is bringing the same misguided centralization scheme to education that will hurt student performance and create chaos in our schools, says Jason MacLean NSGEU President.

“Teachers are trying to get Stephen McNeil focused on improving classroom conditions and giving our young people the best chance for success,” says MacLean. “McNeil is focused on all the wrong things and is refusing to listen to those dedicated women and men who have committed their lives to educating young people.”

NSTU have approved a strike vote for Tuesday, February 20 which will give the NSTU a mandate to implement a job action if the McNeil Liberals are unprepared to work with teachers.

“Stephen McNeil and Zach Churchill have been saying that this is what teachers want, that they were part of the consultation. The past week has shown that to be misleading and with a strong vote on Tuesday it will send a message to McNeil that teachers are going to fight for the best interest of the students they work with in the classrooms,” says MacLean.

NSGEU members in our schools work closely with teachers and principals everyday to educate Nova Scotia’s students. The ham-fisted approach, a hallmark of the McNeil Liberals, will do nothing to improve classroom conditions.

“The NSGEU stands united with teachers. Only by working together can we fix the problems that actually have been created by McNeil and his Government. It’s time for McNeil to work with both to solve the crisis in health care and prevent the chaos he’s going to inflict on students and teachers.”

-30-

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union represents over 30,000 women and men who provide quality public services Nova Scotians count on every day.

For more information, please contact:

Lucas Wide

NSGEU Communications Officer

902-497-5010 (cell)

902-424-4063 (office) 877-556.7438 (toll free) lwide@nsgeu.ca