HOW ABOUT THE WEATHER!
The weather this winter has been tough, with temperatures ranging from arctic to tropical, along with lots of snow and ice mixed in. As dedicated CUPE education support staff we should all be very proud to be succeeding every day; by ensuring we are providing the most safe, secure, and comfortable learning environments for students, their families, and staff across the province.
BARGAINING
With the expiration of our collective agreements quickly approaching at the end of March, preparing for bargaining has been the number one priority for the NSSBCU. Identifying broad based issues and turning them into well thought out bargaining proposals that hopefully provide meaningful improvements to our 5500+ members in 42 classifications has been no easy task.
We are currently working with representatives of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Regional Centres for Education, and Conseil scoliare acadian provincial (CSAP), to get this round of bargaining underway. A draft bargaining protocol has been sent to the government for their consideration and agreement. We will be reviewing their anticipated response as soon as it is received. We are looking forward to getting this round of bargaining off the ground!
PUBLIC CAMPAIGN: How can we bargain without a public campaign and some SWAG?!
Look for new materials, member actions, and communications resources to be launched in the coming weeks. As in the past, there will be simple but especially important acts and demonstration demonstrations of solidarity asked of all 5500+ CUPE education union members. These campaigns are funded through cost share arrangements with CUPE National.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
OH&S should be on our minds likely more than it is. By increasing OH&S awareness, participation on JOHS Committees and prioritizing the topic with both the government and employers, consideration of OH&S should become nearly as automatic as our day-to-day tasks and duties. Please see the attached OH&S flyer for some very important information. Look for these to be supplied at worksites and posted on union bulletin boards.
As always if you have any questions, concerns or looking for information on how to become involved in your local please reach out to a member of your local executive.
In Solidarity,
Nelson Scott L5050, Richard Murray L955, Jenny Lynn Wardrope L3890, Shelley McNeil L5047, Kevin Carther L3876, Floyd Seymour L4682, Andrew Weaver L964, Robert Amero L2272, and Robert MacKay, NSSBCU Communications
Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions