N.S. premier says he will consider binding arbitration to avoid college strike
HALIFAX, N.S. — Nova Scotia’s fledgling NDP government is facing its first real test on the labour front, the outcome of which will come under close scrutiny as hundreds of public sector contracts come up for renewal in the months ahead.
With the province’s 900 community college faculty and staff poised to strike Oct. 20, Premier Darrell Dexter pledged Friday to review a union proposal for binding arbitration.
The Nova Scotia Teachers Union made the offer Thursday.
Dexter said the Labour Department would look at any proposal the union brings forward and he promised to decide next week whether to enter into negotiations on the terms of an arbitration process.
Union president Alexis Allen welcomed the premier’s response.
“It’s a positive note that he will at least consider arbitration,” she said. “But he hasn’t talked to us.”
A strike would suspend classes for 25,000 students at 13 campuses across the province.
As well, a walkout could sour relations between the NDP and the province’s labour movement, which is eager to capitalize on its close ties with the ruling party.
The premier made it clear that while he’s open to the possibility of an arbitrated settlement, he also put a condition on the table.
