Teachers are fighting for a better education

On October 25, Nova Scotia teachers voted for a strong strike mandate. In an electronic strike vote 96% of Public School members vote in favour of strike action.

While no teacher wants a strike, we are willing to fight to deliver the best education for Nova Scotia students. If we need to strike to make that happen, we’re willing to take that step.

Nova Scotia’s future depends on our next generation and this generation relies on teachers. This isn’t just about workload and wages or class size and safety. This is about improving learning conditions in our schools, and improving our collective future. Nova Scotia’s success depends on creating the best learning environment with the best supported teachers.

FAQs

Why have teachers reached this point?
In early October, the Government of Nova Scotia provided the NSTU with a revised tentative agreement. This tentative agreement was rejected by our membership because it did not address serious issues that impact the ability of Nova Scotia’s teachers to do their best work for students. It also took from teachers the ability to negotiate a fair and reasonable salary package. On October 25, our membership voted to give the NSTU Executive the option of a strike.

Are teachers going on strike?
Nobody wants a strike. We want to be in our classrooms teaching. But we need to take real steps to improve education in our province. A “yes” vote doesn’t mean we are going on strike, but means we can go on strike.We need government to hear our voices in this important conversation about Nova Scotia’s future.

Why are you going on strike? What’s this all about?
This isn’t a decision we take lightly. We’re parents too, and we understand that this has serious consequences for families in Nova Scotia. Teachers are voting to strike because we need to find ways to make real changes to improve education in Nova Scotia.

What is the possible timeline for a strike?
Under the Teachers' Collective Bargaining Act, public school members, which include classroom teachers, specialists, administrators, speech language pathologists, school counsellors and school psychologists will be in a legal strike position on December 3, 2016. This is the earliest possible timing for a possible strike.

What does this mean for me? Why should I support teachers?
Because this isn’t just about wages or class size. Nova Scotia’s future depends on our next generation and this generation relies on our teachers. So even though your day-to-day might be disrupted, it’s time to embrace this tough conversation and take a stand because it impacts all of us.