Political scientist calls ongoing teacher’s dispute a “fiasco on both sides”

HALIFAX – A local political scientist is left shaking his head after what happened Monday at Nova Scotia legislature.

After calling an emergency sitting of the House and closing schools Monday due to safety concerns, Education Minister Karen Casey backed off of those calls when she said she came to an agreement with the NSTU that it’s work-to-rule campaign would not be a risk to student supervision.

The confusing day has union members and the province’s opposition leader calling for Casey’s resignation, but Premier Stephen McNeil has reaffirmed his support for her.

As far as Jim Bickerton – a political scientist at St. Francis Xavier University – is concerned, the situation was a blunder, but not enough of one to spell the end for the liberals, because the other side is not without blame.

“Two agreements that executives have recommended have been turned down by the teachers,” said Bickerton, adding former union presidents have called for current executives to step down. “The fiasco is on both sides. It’s going to be difficult for anybody to extricate themselves without suffering a lot.”

Of Minister Casey’s handling of the situation Monday, Bickerton said “it came off as looking like panic and indecision and backtracking.”

As for the calls for Casey’s resignation, Bickerton said it’s not likely that will happen because politicians leaving in embarrassment is not a typical response anymore.