Schools closed to students starting Monday, government to legislate new deal with teachers

HALIFAX – Schools across Nova Scotia will be closed to students as of Monday, Education Minister Karen Casey announced Saturday.

Casey cited “safety concerns” as the reason for the closures, noting an expected lack of student supervision starting Monday when teachers were to begin a work-to-rule campaign.

“The safety of all of our students is paramount,” said Casey in a release. “It is clear, after communicating with school board officials across Nova Scotia, that the job actions proposed by the NSTU could put our schools in an emergency situation. Superintendents could simply not guarantee student safety, and recommended schools be closed.”

President of the NSTU Liette Doucet took to twitter to voice her thoughts on Saturday’s announcement.

Teachers and other school staff are still expected to show up to work this coming week.

GOVERNMENT WILL LEGISLATE CONTRACT

The minister also announced the House will reconvene and bring forward legislation on Monday, beginning the process of forcing a new bargaining agreement upon the Nova Scotia’s Teachers Union.

Casey said government will adopt the tentative agreement reached with the NSTU in September, a deal which was rejected by the union’s members.

Said Casey in a release: “We are confident that we are taking the right steps to ensure our schools continue to operate as safe and productive places of learning.”

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