Nova Scotia union members to receive damages following unconstitutional Bill 148

HALIFAX, NS, Oct. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- Unifor members in Nova Scotia's public sector or at publicly funded workplaces will receive damages paid to union members employed during the four years that Bill 148 restricted collective bargaining.

Nova Scotia union members to receive damages following unconstitutional Bill 148

In an agreement reached between a coalition of unions and the provincial government the workers will be entitled to lump-sum payments following a landmark decision by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court declaring Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act, unconstitutional earlier this year. The court is now expected to issue the order to pay damages by next week.

"For more than a decade, our union and members fought to have their rights recognized after being denied the ability to freely bargain their wages and benefits," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "This decision sends a strong message to governments thinking they can override the Charter rights of workers. It also speaks to the resolve of unions, including Unifor, to fight for those rights."

Bill 148 was found to violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, resulting in workers losing wages and benefits they should rightfully have received.

The unions involved secured a commitment from the province that it will not appeal Justice Ann E. Smith's decision. This means both the February 25, 2026, decision and the order on remedy will stand and will not be put at risk by an appeal.

"This is the result of years of determination and solidarity from union members who refused to give up on their right to bargain freely," said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. "While no amount of compensation can make up for the years workers were denied their rights, this decision is an important step toward accountability and shows what we can achieve when we stand together."

Bill 148 was imposed in 2015 by former Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil's Liberal government. The legislation directly interfered with workers' right to full and free collective bargaining.

Damages of up to $5,000 will be paid to union members identified on each bargaining unit's seniority list, or a comparable list if the bargaining unit does not have a seniority list, as follows:

• $1,250 if the member worked during the first year of wage restraint.
• $1,250 if the member worked during the second year of wage restraint.
• $750 if the member worked during the third year of wage restraint.
• $500 if the member worked during the fourth year of wage restraint.
• An additional $1,250 for each member who was eligible for a Service Award and would have accrued additional service toward that award but for Bill 148.

The unions expect the damages to be paid as soon as possible. However, a timeline for payment has not yet been determined. The union anticipates that it may take several months for the province to determine each person's eligibility, calculate the amount of damages owed and establish the process for issuing payments.

SOURCE Unifor

For media inquiries in English, please contact Unifor National Communications Representative Haeley DiRisio at [email protected]