Teachers ask Government to consider conciliation board

HALIFAX, Oct. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - The Nova Scotia Teachers Union, representing public school teachers in the province, has requested that the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education appoint a conciliation board to assist with the current labour dispute. NSTU president Liette Doucet has also asked the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development to make the same request as the process requires agreement of both parties.

NSTU public school members gave its union a strong strike mandate on October 25, voting 96 per cent in favour of job action. The strike vote took place after members rejected a second tentative agreement on October 4.

"Teachers don't want to strike and our hope is to get back to the table," says NSTU president Liette Doucet. "Requesting a conciliation board is one of the options available that keeps teachers in the classroom. Government has clearly stated they are not willing to go to arbitration for this dispute. I hope our strong mandate will persuade government to continue the discussion, so we can reach a collective agreement that is acceptable to teachers."

Under the Teachers' Collective Bargaining Act, both parties have to request the appointment of a conciliation board. Once appointed, the conciliation board will meet with the parties to assist in reaching an agreement. The report of the conciliation board will go to the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education at the end of the process, and be shared with the parties. "If the government agrees to have a conciliation board appointed, there can be no job action while the board does its work," continues Doucet.

If the conciliation board is unable to facilitate an agreement, its report will trigger a seven-day period in which neither party can take action, and then 30-day cooling off period before NSTU public school members could go on strike.

SOURCE Nova Scotia Teachers Union

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