Nearly 1,800 Halifax-area school support staff will be going on strike on Wednesday.

CUPE Local 5047 President Chris Melanson says a deal could not be reached. This comes after a ratification vote held this past weekend, when members did not accept the tentative agreement from the government, from last month. Melanson says negotiations focused on increased wages for workers.

“Too many of our members are having to make tough decisions…you know, whether to buy groceries or to pay for utilities. They’re struggling to make ends meet,” said Melanson.

“This is definitely a funding issue that government holds the keys to ending. They should be able to come in and recognize what the shortfalls are for people and be able to remedy it. First and foremost, this is not what we wanted to happen. And I can say with confidence, a lot of our members are the parents of the children that receive the supports. This is going to impact schools dramatically” Melanson added.

As of 12:01am Wednesday, May 10, the strike starts.

Regional Executive Director Steve Gallagher, for HRCE, sent an email to parents with the following information:

Those affected are: 

-Educational Program Assistants (EPA’s): Principals have resumed planning for students who require the support of EPA’s and how they will continue to access educational services reasonably and safely.

-Pre-Primary Programs, Early Childhood Educators (Leads and Supports): pre-primary children will not attend school.  Pre-Primary Leadership Team has created an At Home Learning website for families. This resource includes a number of learning activities and daily stories

-Library Support Specialists

-SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Workers

-Child and Youth Care Practitioners

-Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Student Support Workers

-African Nova Scotian Student Support Workers

-Assistive Technology Support Workers

Schools will remain open and buses will operate as usual.  Special needs transportation will operate as usual for students who can reasonably and safely attend school without EPA support for the duration of the strike.

The EXCEL program will also continue.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said in a news release, pre-primary and school support services are crucial for working families. The disruption causes unnecessary stress for parents, students and workers who are now on the picket lines.  He said it’s time for the Houston government to get on the same page.

More information to follow as it comes in.