Halifax school support staff say strike may be done, but fight is not over – Halifax | 24CA News
There are blended feelings for faculty assist employees within the Halifax space as they return to the classroom for the primary time in additional than a month.
Although they’re pleased to see their college students once more, they are saying the struggle is way from over. A father or mother who joined them on the picket strains says she’ll additionally keep on the struggle for them and the scholars who couldn’t go to class.
“The excitement from the kids definitely uplifts a lot of our spirits,” says African Nova Scotian scholar assist employee Phillip Jackson.
“It’s amazing to be back around the kids; to me, they’re kind of like family,” provides outreach employee Tracey Williams.
He was one of many greater than 1,800 staff who returned to colleges inside the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) on Monday.
Those employees members embrace early childhood educators (ECEs), instructional program assistants (EPAs), librarians, and African Nova Scotian scholar assist employees.
The members had been off the job since May tenth, after they took to the picket strains to name for higher wages.
They’re pleased to finish the varsity yr on a optimistic notice, however warn feelings are blended across the settlement reached over the weekend.
The deal contains enhancements to retroactive pay, informal employees, and higher well being and security provisions. But it doesn’t include wage will increase larger than what different areas accepted.
“I’m very melancholy when it comes to that,” says Williams. “I still feel the government played us short, but in the same breath we’re here for these children, we’re here for these families.”
Now they’re taking part in catch up.
“A lot of students are informing us of some undesirable experiences they had because of our absence,” says Jackson. “I’m hoping that’s something that can be looked at and addressed.”
In an announcement, HRCE Communications Officer Lindsey Bunin says they’ve acquired “wonderful feedback” from colleges on Monday.
“These absences were felt across all HRCE schools,” Bunin says. “We are pleased that everyone is back to finish off the school year together.”
Heather Langley and her daughter Lucy take a stroll outdoors her faculty.
Alicia Draus / Global News
Heather Langley’s daughter was overjoyed to see her EPAs once more.
“A huge smile getting on the bus and shrieks of excitement,” describes Langley of Lucy’s commute to high school.
But she says it’s not truthful the Grade 5 scholar and plenty of others who require additional assist have been locked out of faculty for 5 weeks.
“The hurt is still there for a lot of families,” says Langley. “We know that our children were discriminated against.”
She has filed a human rights grievance towards the federal government.
“This isn’t done for us,” Langley says. “I feel like we will be fighting this for years. This government needs to understand that we have an inclusive education policy.”
The employees say their struggle isn’t over both. Their present contract is ready to run out within the spring.
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