Province Asks Conciliator to File Report

The provincial government said today, Oct.12, the collective bargaining process with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union has run its course and is asking a conciliator to file a report.

"Of course, we are disappointed with this," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey. "We have made education a priority and are adding an additional investment of $65 million into classrooms across the province."

Ms. Casey said the government worked hard with the NSTU to arrive at two different collective agreements.

"At the bargaining table, we reached two tentative agreements that provided wage increases and took steps to address working conditions."

Ms. Casey said about 33 per cent of teachers will receive even higher wage increases than those contained in the collective agreement.

"Around one third of teachers will continue to receive pay increases of four to five per cent per year. This is in addition to the raises contained in the tentative agreement."