Union files Community College Strike Notice

HALIFAX , Sept. 23 /CNW/ - The Nova Scotia Teachers Union, representing more than 900 faculty and professional support employees of the Nova Scotia Community College, filed strike notice with the Honourable Marilyn More , Minister of Labour and Workforce Development today.

Under the Trade Union Act, the two bargaining units may take strike action following 48 hours notice to the Minister.

Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in electronic balloting yesterday. "We have yet to set a strike date," says NSTU President Alexis Allen . "It will depend on whether we get any response from this government."

Ninety-one per cent of faculty members voted 93 per cent in favour of the walkout, and 96 per cent of professional support employees voted 90 per cent in favour of joining the job action.

"We still hope to resolve this matter without walking, but with such a strong mandate from members this still very much remains an option" says NSTU President Alexis Allen .

Negotiations opened June 5, 2008 . In April, after 10 months of negotiations, the NSTU filed for conciliation after all issues with both contracts were resolved, except salary, length of contract and enhancements to insurance benefits. Despite efforts by the Union and the College to resolve important issues of equity there has been no financial commitment from the Department of Education to support an economic increase in 2009 nor to have Community College members realize the same benefits that the Department of Education has agreed to provide to public school teachers last April.

"Our Community College members deserve a fair and equitable agreement and are prepared to walk off the job to get one," concludes Allen.

In preparation of the pending job action, the Union is holding strike school sessions with its Community College members starting early next week.

Community College members have been without a contract since August 31, 2008 . The Nova Scotia Teachers Union represents more than 760 faculty members and 165 professional support members at 13 NSCC campuses around the province.

For further information: Angela Murray, NSTU PR Coordinator, [phone] (cell), [email protected]