MEDIA RELEASE: Union Reaches Tentative Agreement, Suspends Strike Action in AVRCE

The bargaining committee representing school support workers at the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education (AVRCE) has reached a tentative agreement with their employer, averting an imminent strike.

Details of the tentative agreement cannot be disclosed to the media before members have had the opportunity to review the deal and vote on it, however, the committee is recommending ratification of the agreement.

“The committee has worked hard to get the government and employer to improve their offer,” said NSGEU President Sandra Mullen, “This contract has the potential to improve the ability to recruit and retain workers in this sector, which is vital to public education.”

Now, it is up to the members to vote on the agreement. A meeting with the membership is scheduled for later this week, and the ratification vote will commence shortly after this meeting takes place.

A strike that had been scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 13th has been temporarily suspended to allow the meeting and vote to be held.

Members of Local 73 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.

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For more information, or to arrange an interview with NSGEU President Sandra Mullen, please contact:

Holly Fraughton, NSGEU Communications Officer,

902-471-1781 (cell)