It's back to school for Educational Assistants as Hanover and union reach new deal

The strike is over.

In an email sent to Educational Assistants (EAs) Wednesday evening, their union announced an 83.1% vote in favour of ratifying the new collective agreement with the Hanover School Division.

307 of 325 eligible voters participated in the November 22nd vote.

CLAC, the union representing Hanover School Division EAs, said, "We know this vote result is not unanimous. However, the strike has been an amazing, empowering, very difficult, unifying act for this group."

Although the final details of the new agreement were not described in the email, CLAC says the results of the strike brought wage gains but that the relationship between EAs and the division may take time to heal.

Nearly 300 educational assistants in the Hanover School Division, represented by the CLAC union, walked off the job and hit the picket line on Wednesday, November 1st.  

In a statement from HSD Wednesday morning, Board Chair Brad Unger provided an update on the bargaining process. 

“Hanover School Division and CLAC Local 306 representing Educational Assistants reached a tentative settlement in collective bargaining on November 20, 2023. A ratification vote is being held by CLAC on November 22nd. Should the EAs ratify the renewed collective agreement, plans have been discussed to welcome Educational Assistants back to work on Thursday, November 23, 2023.” 

The EAs last collective agreement expired last fall and the union has been negotiating with the HSD since March. In late October, EAs in the division voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action and have been on the picket line since November 1st.

Unger says the Division looks forward to welcoming back the Educational Assistants. 

On Wednesday evening, HSD issued the following statement to parents and guardians:

"We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to inform you that the recent strike involving Educational Assistants has now been resolved. As a result, all Educational Assistants will be returning to their roles effective Thursday, November 23. The Division looks forward to welcoming EA’s back to work.

We understand that the strike has caused disruptions, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this period.

Please be assured that the well-being and education of your children remain our top priorities. If you have any specific concerns or questions related to your child, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to moving ahead with a focus on positive relationships, continued academic progress and success of our students."

Details of the new collective agreement have not been released at this time.

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