The Council of Canadians stands in solidarity with Nova Scotia teachers and their constitutional right to a fair collective bargaining process.
“Premier Stephen McNeil must get back to the collective bargaining table with teachers and negotiate – not legislate. His attempt at locking out students from their classes was unprecedented and failed due to public pressure,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “As long as the premier refuses to negotiate with teachers, the attack on students, parents and teachers continues.”
The Council of Canadians has thousands of supporters in Nova Scotia and local chapters across the province.
“Premier McNeil and his Liberal government have crossed the line on this one,” says Marion Moore with the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians. “The premier’s actions are undemocratic and a complete failure on the part of the Nova Scotian government to address the real issue at hand. Teachers are simply calling for a fair contract that puts the needs of the students ahead of bureaucracy.”
“Many governments across Canada in the past few years have attacked teachers and their right to collective bargaining. Premier Stephen McNeil’s attack is the worst,” says Leo Broderick, Vice-Chair of the Council of Canadians and a former President of the Prince Edward Island Teachers’ Federation. “The premier and his Liberal government are out to destroy collective bargaining not only for teachers but for all public sector workers in Nova Scotia. We cannot allow this to happen.”
The Council of Canadians is Canada’s leading social action organization, mobilizing a network of more than 60 chapters across the country. It advocates for clean water, fair trade, green energy, public health care and a vibrant democracy by educating and empowering people.
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