Threat of an illegal strike of teachers in Nova Scotia

QMI agency

On Wednesday 21 February 2018 21:16

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On Wednesday 21 February 2018 21:16

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HALIFAX – The teachers of Nova Scotia have voted on Wednesday in favour of giving the right to their union to call a strike illegal, which could affect up to 119 000 pupils in primary and secondary school.

In total, 82 % of the teachers represented by the teachers union of Nova Scotia have voted in favour of the strike mandate.

“They have made this decision while knowing that they could face losses in wages and fines. They are so worried for the students and the future of education in this province that they are willing to accept it,” stressed the president of the union, Liette Doucet, during a press briefing.

The teachers are concerned because of a project of reform which recommends, in particular, the elimination of the English school boards and the creation of a college of the educators who have the task of disciplining and regulating the profession of teaching.

On the strength of its strike mandate, the union has demanded a meeting with the minister of Education. The latter has responded by agreeing to sit down with the unionized workers. “The status quo is not an option. The exchanges that we will have will actually contribute to solutions to the challenges that we know”, however, has warned the minister Zach Churchill, stressing that “our students should be in school; this is the best place for them.”

In the event that the union is ahead with its illegal strike, it would be subject to fines of up to $ 10,000 per day, while the strikers could also be hit by fines of the individual.