School support staff in Nova Scotia could go on strike soon over wages.

This includes bus drivers, early childhood educators, teaching assistants and more.

Talks are at a stand-still between CUPE’s Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions and the province, and the union voted in favour of job-action.

Chair of the board Chris Melanson says the workers need a deal that lifts them out of poverty.

“Many members only work a couple of hours a day, or work in a less than 100 percent position, and work well below the average wage in this province. It’s not helpful when you see the price of gas, rent, mortgages and groceries,” said Melanson.

Melanson wants the province comes back to the table with a reasonable offer, and hopes job-action can be avoided.

“We’re very proud of the job we do, we don’t do it to get rich. We love to help the students. The bottom line is, we haven’t had enough wage increases, and we won’t with what the government is offering us.”

The union will be in a legal strike position on April 21st.

We’ve reached out to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for comment.