Just a week before the start of school and there remains labour uncertainty hanging over our schools.
Contracts for teachers and education workers expire in just a couple of days.
Schools will still open as planned next Tuesday, and staff will be in school.
Education Workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees are to take a strike vote at the end of September.
Patrice Barnes, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education, says they would rather the focus be on getting back to the bargaining table.
“We really believe that stability for kids after the last two years is very important, and so we are waiting for CUPE to come back to the table and negotiate a fair deal,” says Barnes.
The province has proposed a 2% pay increase for workers earning less than $40,000 and a 1.25% increase for those over that mark.
The union, which represents librarians, custodians and administrative staff, sought an increase of $3.25 per hour.
Other demands include designated early childhood educators in every kindergarten class, no matter class size, and minimum staffing standards in schools.
