Department of Education waiting on teachers' next move, says minister
70% of Nova Scotia public school teachers voted Tuesday to reject second tentative agreement
One day after Nova Scotia teachers overwhelmingly rejected a tentative labour deal, Education Minister Karen Casey said the ball is now in the union's court and noted teachers have the right to strike.
On Tuesday night, Nova Scotia's 9,000 teachers rejected the second tentative agreement reached between the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the Department of Education.
On Wednesday, Casey said her department is done negotiating.
"Teachers have the right to strike," the minister said. "And at this point, we're waiting to hear back."
Bill 148
Casey gave no hints about whether her government will use its new legislation — known as Bill 148 — which would force public servants to accept a wage package and outlaw any strike.
"We are not looking at 148," Casey said. "We are waiting for the teachers to get back and let us know what their next steps are."
The union executive will meet soon to decide its next move.
Agreement lacked 'teeth'
NSTU president Liette Doucet said while it won't rule out a strike vote, the union is looking into first asking for a mediator or to meet with a conciliation board.
"I'm not sure teachers would agree that it is about wages, however it is about money in many ways," Doucet said.
Doucet said the agreement was rejected because teachers were concerned the gain they had made at the bargaining table "didn't have enough teeth" in the deal to be able to provide funding for programs and resources they need.
"It's more about what is going to make life easier in the classroom in relation to workload issues, and the fact that those workload issues are really affecting the learners in our classroom," she said.
Opposition reaction
Meanwhile, the opposition accused Casey of disrespecting the province's teachers.
"The government's position that they will not be returning to the table, that there will not be further negotiations, is a continuation of the very disrespect that the teachers have rejected in their vote last night," said NDP Leader Gary Burrill.
Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said the governing Liberals are playing games by calling for the union to make the next move.
He said what's needed is some assurance there will be no strike.
"Parents want to know that their kids are not going to lose their year over a labour dispute," Baillie said. "Bill 148 is pretty dubious, but [there are] other options."