Support for Striking Education Support Workers - Member Statement
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : I beg leave to make an introduction.
THE SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : I draw the members' attention to the gallery opposite where we're joined by a number of friends. I'll ask that you stand as I say your name. I'd like to introduce Sandra Mullen, President of the NSGEU; bargaining committee members from Local 73, Annette Leyenaar, Lead Early Childhood Educator; Nanette Doherty, Education Assistant 1; Veronica Carr, Education Assistant 1 - who I saw yesterday; picket captain Lindsay Ahearn, Education Assistant 1; bargaining committee members from Local 70, Bev Waddell, Payroll Clerk, Stacey Jenson, School Administrative Assistant; Tracey Cook, Accounting Clerk; picket captain Shannon Uhlman, Support Early Childhood Educator; and Dave MacKenzie, to whom this House is no stranger.
THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.
EDUC. SUPP. WKRS. STRIKE: LOW WAGES - SOLIDARITY
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, yesterday, members of the NDP caucus and I visited the striking education support workers in Windsor and New Minas on the picket line. These workers, who are mainly women, have left their schools, students, and the people they work for to stand up for a basic value - same pay for same work.
Every MLA in this Chamber is paid the same basic pay regardless of where they are from. This is not the case in our education system. If you work outside of HRM, regardless of your education, you are paid less. It is unclear why the government values these rural workers less than others, but that is what is happening.
These dedicated education support workers do not want to be on the picket line. They want to be in their schools doing their jobs. I heard this yesterday over and over again. They have had enough. Same pay for the same work is a fundamental principle, and it is mainly women who are being marginalized by this wage disparity. This government has not said definitively if they believe school support workers in the Valley and the South Shore should be paid the same as someone working in Halifax right now.
New Democrats stand in solidarity with school support workers in their fight to be treated fairly. I ask all members of this House to join me in affirming the same.