Eight school boards across Nova Scotia are bracing for a potential strike that could see support staff walk off the job if a new agreement isn’t reached.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says more than 5,500 school support staff are preparing to strike on Monday, Oct. 26, after 10 months of failed negotiations.
The employee groups represented by CUPE vary across the province, meaning the impact of a strike would differ from region to region. Here’s what it could mean for students and parents:
Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Educational Program Assistant (EPA)
- Lead Early Childhood Educator
- Support Early Childhood Educator
- Library Support Specialist
- SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Worker
- Child and Youth Care Practitioner
- Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Student Support Worker
- African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker
- Assistive Technology Support Worker
- Substitutes for abovementioned classifications, where applicable
In a letter to parents, HRCE says students’ ability to attend school will depend, in part, on the individual supports they require and how those supports may be affected by job action.
The school board adds that they’re making plans for students who require EPAs and that principals are reaching out to families who will be impacted.
Pre-primary programs will be paused.
South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Janitors and Custodians
- Tradespeople
- Bus Drivers
In a letter to parents, SSRCE says a CUPE strike would result in several disruptions.
Pre-primary to grade 6 students will continue to attend school in-person as long as operationally feasible. Grade 7 to 12 students currently receiving Tier 3 Learning Centre Supports will also continue to attend school in-person.
All other students in grades 7 to 12 shifting to online learning.
There will be no SSRCE-provided transportation to and from schools for the duration of the strike period.
The school board adds that before and after school programs would continue as usual for students currently enrolled for as long as possible.
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education (AVRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Bus Drivers employed by AVRCE – serving all schools in Annapolis County, West Hants area, and West Kings in Kings County.
- Janitors and Custodians
- Cafeteria Workers
- Tradespeople
- School Secretaries in West Hants area schools (AVHS Family of Schools)
In a letter to parents, AVRCE says pre-primary to grade 5 students, grade 6 to 12 students requiring Learning Centre support, and experiential school students (Highbury Education Centre, Lawrencetown Education Centre, and West Hants Education Centre) will continue to attend school in-person.
All other students in grades 6 to 12 shifting to online learning.
Buses would be suspended for pre-primary to grade 5 in Annapolis County (AWEC Family of Schools, BRCS Family of Schools, MRHS Family of Schools), WKDHS Family of Schools, and West Hants area (AVHS Family of Schools).
Atlantic Bus Corporation (ABC), SSRCE’s third-party provider, will continue busing for students attending in person in certain Kings County families of schools including CKRHS Family of Schools, HHS Family of Schools, and NKEC Family of Schools.
Cape Breton–Victoria Regional Centre for Education (CBVRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Early Childhood Educators
- Teaching Assistants
- Custodial and Maintenance Staff
- Child and Youth Care Practitioners
- Secretaries
- Student Support Workers
- Accounting Clerks
- Parent Navigator
- Bus Drivers and Bus Aides
- Technology staff
- Mechanics
- Lunch Bus Grounds Supervisors
- Library Technicians
- Assistive Technology Support Workers
- Community Outreach Workers
In a letter to parents, CBVRCE says a CUPE strike in this region would mean schools will close for students.
Pre-primary programs would be paused, and students in primary to grade 4 would shift to at-home learning while students in grades 5-12 would shift to online learning.
Before and after school programs will also be paused.
Chignecto–Central Regional Centre for Education (CCRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Bus Drivers
- Custodians
- Tradespeople
- Mechanics
- General Maintenance
- Cafeteria Workers
In a letter to parents, CCRCE says pre-primary to grade 6 students will continue to attend school in-person for as long as possible while students in grades 7 to 12 will shift to online learning.
CCRCE says there is a possibility of in-person learning for grades 7 to 12 students who receive significant learning support throughout their school day, including support from a Learning Support Teacher, access to a Learning Centre, and Educational Assistant support.
Student transportation and the school lunch program will not be available.
Extracurricular activities and community use of schools would pause. However, sports that do not require the use of any indoor facilities may continue.
Before and after school programs will continue.
Strait Regional Centre for Education (SRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Early Childhood Educators
- Lunch and Bus Ground Supervisors
- Bus Drivers
- School Secretaries
- Teacher Assistants
- Student Support Workers
- Technology Staff
- Library Technicians
- Custodial and Maintenance Staff
- Mechanics
- Child and Youth Care Practitioners
- SRCE Cafeteria Workers
- SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Workers
In a letter to parents, SRCE says pre-primary programs as well as before and after school programs will be paused.
Students in primary to grade 4 will shift to at-home learning while students in grades 5 to 12 will shift to online learning.
Tri-County Regional Centre for Education (TCRCE)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications:
- Janitors and Custodians
- Tradespeople
- Bus Drivers
In a letter to parents, TCRCE says pre-primary to grade 6 students as well as students in grade 7 to 12 who require Learning Centre supports will continue to attend school in person.
All other students in grades 7 to 12 will shift to online learning.
There will be no TCRCE-provided transportation to and from schools for the duration of the strike period.
Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP)
CUPE members include all casual, term, and permanent employees within the following classifications in the Clare, Argyle, South Shore, and Antigonish regions:
- Janitors and Custodians
- Tradespeople
- Bus Drivers (other regions are managed by Transco Autobus and will not be affected)
In a letter to parents, CSAP says schools will remain open for all students including pre-primary to grade 12.
Parents will be responsible for transportation in the affected regions.
Extracurricular activities that would happen inside the schools will be suspended, but daycares and after school programs will remain open.
Community use of schools will be suspended.
