The sparring continues around government’s bill imposing a contract on teachers.
The province saved $3.4 million dollars in wages when the teachers held their one-day strike on Friday.
That money will be awarded back to school as grants to be used for extra-curriculars.
One Day Strike Savings to go into Student Support Grants https://t.co/MMKclUrnPV pic.twitter.com/mHcqBijJCD
— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) February 21, 2017
PC Leader Jamie Baillie says while the grants are worthwhile, the premier once again isn’t listening to teachers .
“It’s not what teachers are asking for and I think Mr. McNeil missed a big opportunity to extend an olive branch to our teachers by investing in the things that they have been asking for, for our classrooms.”
Bill 75 will impose terms on the province’s 9,300 teachers.
The teacher’s union has said they will challenge the bill in court.
PC Leader Jamie Baillie says the contract should have been dealt with at the negotiating table.
‘We’ve got to save the taxpayers millions of dollars because we are going to get sued. Bill 75 is non-constitutional. It’s been proven in other places and I hate the idea that it’s going to be proven here at our expense.”
PCs will repeal Bill 75: https://t.co/a8QrI6stNa #nspoli #novascotia
— Nova Scotia PC Party (@nspc) February 21, 2017
Premier Stephen McNeil isn’t concerned about the threat of a lawsuit.
“If you follow Mr. Baillie’s logic, he suggests I should just sign any contract if someone threatens to take us to court. I don’t think that is in the best interest of Nova Scotians.”
McNeil also doesn’t think the Nova Scotia Teachers Union’s proposed suit has merit. .
“Their own lawyer has recognized and has suggested to them it would be a tough challenge for them. But, if they choose to challenge it, we’ll defend the people of Nova Scotia.”
When the Nova Scotia Teachers Union will make that challenge has yet to be announced.
