Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) updates

CUPE represents more than 5,000 school support staff, including teacher assistants, early childhood educators, inclusive education staff, custodians, tradespeople and bus drivers. The collective agreements for CUPE education-sector employees expired on 31 March 2026.

Regional Centres for Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) have been bargaining with CUPE for the past several months. CUPE has now provided the required 48 hours notice to the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration of a labour disruption that could begin as early as Monday, 2 November 2026.

Bargaining teams for the Regions and CSAP have presented offers to CUPE leadership. The offers include wage increases, annual health and safety training and measures that respond to local concerns.

The province, Regions and CSAP continue to work toward reaching renewed agreements. Schools also have contingency plans to support student learning and wellbeing if there is a strike.

School operations if there is a strike

If CUPE initiates a labour disruption, Regions, the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and schools will put their contingency plans into effect.

Impacts will vary because CUPE represents different staff groups across the province. Depending on the region, changes could include paused school bus service, at-home and online learning. Schools will contact families and staff directly about the plans for their school community.

If you have questions about how your school would operate during a strike, contact your school administration.

Possible impacts by region

Other services may also change, including school food programs like the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program, school sports, childcare programs in schools and community use of school facilities. Read updates from your region, the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and your school. Schools are working directly with families of students with complex needs to arrange supports.

Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education (AVRCE)

• pre-primary to grade 5 students attend school in person (bus service is available only in some areas)
• grade 6 to 12 students who need Learning Centre supports and students in experiential schools attend school in person
• all other grade 6 to 12 students shift to online learning

Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education (CBVRCE)

• pre-primary programs are paused
• primary to grade 4 students shift to at-home learning
• grade 5 to 12 students shift to online learning
• before- and after-school programs are paused

Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education (CCRCE)

• pre-primary to grade 6 students attend school in person (no bus service is available)
• grade 7 to 12 students shift to online learning
• in-person learning may be available for grade 7 to 12 students who receive significant learning support

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP)

• all students attend school in person (no bus service is available)
• les élèves doivent tous se rendre à l'école en personne. La grève affecte le transport par autobus dans Clare, Argyle, Pomquet et certains trajets de la Rive-Sud. Les taxis ne sont pas concernés

Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE)

• pre-primary programs are paused
• primary to grade 12 students attend school in person
• educational services may be modified for students who need support from Educational Program Assistants

Strait Regional Centre for Education (SRCE)

• pre-primary programs are paused
• primary to grade 4 students shift to at-home learning
• grade 5 to 12 students shift to online learning
• before- and after-school programs are paused

South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE)

• pre-primary to grade 6 students attend school in person (no bus service is available)
• grade 7 to 12 students who currently receive Tier 3 Learning Centre supports attend school in person (no bus service is available)
• all other grade 7 to 12 students shift to online learning

Tri-Country Regional Centre for Education (TCRCE)

• pre-primary to grade 6 students attend school in person (no bus service is available)
• grade 7 to 12 students who need Learning Centre supports attend school in person (no bus service is available)
• all other grade 7 to 12 students shift to online learning