NSNDP

November 21st, 2017

Liberal attacks on workers affecting support services in HRSB schools

Union applied for conciliation after negotiations broke down

HALIFAX - Support services in Halifax Regional School Board schools are being jeopardized by the Liberal government’s attack on front-line workers. Yesterday, the union representing support staff applied for conciliation after unsuccessful negotiations.

“This has everything to do with the negative climate for workers created by Stephen McNeil,” said NDP Labour spokesperson Tammy Martin. “It comes down to a simple thing--respect. Without it, how can we expect to provide quality education and other public services in our province?”

The support staff workers, represented by CUPE 5047, include early childhood educators, educational assistants, library staff, and a number of other school specialists and support staff.

“There are serious problems in our public education system, including a shortage of classroom specialists and a government that has broken the trust of teachers,” said NDP Education and Early Childhood Development spokesperson Claudia Chender. “We need to be investing in the supports that enable children to learn, and teachers to teach.”

This fall the NDP Caucus introduced legislation to repeal Bill 148, which freezes wages for front-line workers in education, health care and other public services; and Bill 75, which imposed a contract on teachers.

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