School Support Workers ratify new contract with HRCE

CITYnews halifax \ By Dan Ahlstrand

The strike by school support workers within Halifax Regional Centre for Education has ended.

HRCE tweeted Saturday night that union members voted to accept a tentative agreement that was reached earlier in the week.

Members of CUPE 5047 have voted to accept the tentative agreement and the strike has ended, effective immediately. Read more here: https://t.co/SWXlHz55sL

— Halifax Regional Centre for Education (@HRCE_NS) June 17, 2023

In a post to their website, HRCE says all Pre-Primary children and students who have not been able to attend school safely without EPAs can return to classes on Monday, June 19.  As for transportation for children impacted by the strike,  HRCE says it will resume at regularly scheduled times in the morning and afternoon.

Also, HRCE posted following staff members will return to our schools:

• African Nova Scotian Student Support Workers
• Assistive Technology Support Workers
• Child and Youth Care Practitioners
• Early Childhood Educators
• Educational Program Assistants
• Library Support Specialists
• Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Student Support Workers
• SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Workers

“While we are happy that we’ve made some progress, there’s a lot of work still to be done,” said iChris Melanson, President of CUPE Local 5047 in a statement to the media. “School support workers in Halifax are activated, organized, and will be continuing to fight to make these jobs livable. This is just the beginning.”

The new contract impacts about 1,800 school support staff working in the Halifax area who have been on strike since May 10th.