United labor front: Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union joins Canadian Labor Congress

Bruske: This marks another pivotal moment in the growth and solidarity of the Canadian labor movement.

OTTAWA – The Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) is pleased to announce the official affiliation of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) through the National Association of Teachers, marking the expansion and unity of the Canadian labor movement.

With a diverse membership base, the NSTU has more than 10,000 active members, consisting of K-12 public school teachers and teachers from the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority.

As an organization deeply rooted in its commitment to educational excellence and professional development, the NSTU advocates for the rights and welfare of teachers while striving to create an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning.

“The NSTU’s alignment with the broader labor movement is another example of the growth and solidarity of Canada’s unions. Workers across Canada are united in their fight for the rights and dignity of all workers, including teachers. We are proud to welcome them on board,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labor Congress.

In recent years, we have seen provincial governments seek to undermine teachers, erode public education systems by cutting funding, weaken teachers unions and public administrations, and trample on the rights of queer and trans children to privacy and safety in schools.

“As we recognize the critical role teachers play in shaping our society and supporting children across Nova Scotia, it is important that we value their contributions, recognize their professionalism and promote the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers,” Bruske added.

“The NSTU is grateful for the support and solidarity it has received from other unions across the province as we work to address the growing challenges facing our public school system,” said NSTU President Ryan Lutes. “Strengthening ties with other unions through the CLC is critical to our efforts to advocate for safe and healthy learning environments for students and their teachers.”

Canada’s unions are leading the way in making transformative change for workers and families through advocacy and organizing.

NSTU joins a united labor movement of more than 50 national and international unions under the umbrella of the CLC, collectively advocating for more than three million workers.