The union that represents Nova Scotia’s public school teachers has asked the provincial government to appoint a conciliation board to help end a simmering labour dispute that could lead to a strike in early December.
Members of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union voted 96 per cent in favour of strike action on Oct. 25. The vote took place after union members rejected a tentative agreement on Oct. 4 – the second in the last year.
READ MORE: Nova Scotia government still has options following teacher strike vote
“Teachers don’t want to strike and our hope is to get back to the table,” union president Liette Doucet said in a statement.
“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, the appointment of a conciliation board won’t happen unless both the union and the government request such a move, the union said. If the government agrees, there can be no job action while the board is at work.
Meanwhile, the Education Department distributed a letter to parents and guardians, saying a strike or other job action could come as early as Dec. 3.
“The government will continue to work with the (union) and is committed to addressing teacher working and student learning conditions,” the letter says.
READ MORE: Early support for Nova Scotia teachers after strike mandate vote
The department also confirmed that a working group comprising union members, school boards and the department, is expected to meet within the next two weeks.
“We understand that talk of any labour disruption can result in anxiety and concern for students and their families,” the department said. “Should a job action occur, every effort will be made to minimize disruptions to your child’s education.”
According to Labour Minister Kelly Regan, the date for filing the concilliation report is Nov. 1.
“If they both agree, they have until 14 days past the filing of the conciliation report, which is Nov. 1, to name the person, as a nominee, that they’re going to put on the conciliation board,” Regan said.
Then, each nominee has five days to agree upon a chair for the board, if they don’t, Regan will appoint one.
“They then meet, conciliate, for 14 days and then file a report with me, or they can request an extension. And then we’ll have a report,” Regan said.
Other options to avoid a strike include mediation and arbitration, however the government has already stated they will not let the negotiations go to arbitration.
— With files from Global News.
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