Striking Halifax school support workers have mixed-emotions ahead of new deal vote
Global News
A tentative agreement between CUPE Local 5047 and the HRCE was announced on Wednesday. Some 1,800 Halifax schools support workers will spend the weekend voting on it.
Striking school support workers in Nova Scotia are cautiously optimistic a new deal could be struck so they can get back into classrooms.
Their union has reached a tentative agreement with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE). Depending on how workers vote, they could return to school as soon as Monday.
That means the once bustling picket lines that were filled with workers and their supporters are winding down as the staff get ready to vote on a new agreement.
After being out of class for more than a month, an educational program assistant (EPA) who has worked at Citadel High School for 15 years says emotions are mixed.
“I am feeling somewhat optimistic,” says Linda Dunn-Colley. “I feel that the government still does not respect our job and what we do, but I do believe the bargaining committee did the best that they could do.”
A tentative agreement between CUPE Local 5047 and the HRCE was announced on Wednesday. Now more than 1,800 employees, including EPAs, Early Childhood Educators, and librarians, will spend the weekend voting on it.
“I am totally looking forward to Monday morning, if this passes, to go meet my kids off the bus,” says Dunn-Colley. “It’s the one thing bringing a smile to my face.”
The province’s labour relations minister says the agreement has been fully endorsed by CUPE leadership.