Local 480 – Corrections New Pay Plan Approved

The union and employer are pleased to share some positive news regarding enhancements to the ACC Pay Plan.

In response to concerns raised by the union about Correctional Officers’ compensation, the employer recognized the importance of reviewing both job description and pay. Through collaborative discussions, the union, the Department of Justice, and the Public Service Commission were able to identify meaningful solutions.

“Government and the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union worked closely together to find a positive solution to the concerns raised,” said Justice Minister Scott Armstrong. “Our correctional officers work in challenging environments every day, and we were committed to modernizing their compensation.”

“The new ACC Pay Plan reflects a shared commitment to strengthening recruitment, retention, and long-term workforce stability across correctional facilities,” said Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union President Sandra Mullen. “This is a credit to the hard work of both union members and the employer to be willing to work together to find this resolution.”

As a result of this extensive collaboration and consultation, a newly developed ACC Pay Plan has been approved. This updated pay plan modernizes compensation for Correctional Officers and other ACC positions and introduces an expanded CO 1–2 classification, supporting clear career progression within our correctional workforce.

Key highlights of the new ACC Pay Plan include:

• The increases below are on top of the Civil Service increases obtained in the recent arbitration decision
• Pay rate increases of up to 7.1% for Correctional Officers
• Pay rate increases ranging from 1–5% for other ACC positions
• Introduction of an expanded CO 1–2 classification to support career development and retention
• Transition of Correctional Officers from the current maximum step to the new maximum step within the ACC Pay Plan
• Retroactive pay adjustments for Correctional Officers, effective April 1, 2025

Additional information will come shortly regarding timelines for implementation and retroactivity.

All parties involved recognize the vital role Correctional Officers play every day and would like to sincerely thank them for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public safety.

The union will be organizing an information session in the coming days to go over the details of the agreement and answer any questions you may have. Please watch your email for details of this virtual meeting.