Nuanvut gov't, union, at odds over school support staff contracts

In Iqaluit this week, the Nunavut Employees Union and the government of Nunavut are engaged in an arbitration to resolve a dispute without going to court. The union is arguing that casual student support assistants, SSAs, are having their contracts renewed on a temporary basis, purposely by the government. For years, despite vacant permanent positions available. In doing this, the union argues casual SSAs miss out on benefits and pay increases that permanent workers do have. SSAs assist teachers and students who require extra help with anything from lessons to personal care support for students. Union President Jason Rushen says many of these workers are Inuit women whose experience is critical to helping kids succeed. Not having people in the workplaces, welcoming children, making sure that their needs are being met is a real disservice to the future of our territory, the well-being of our territory. The union is asking the government to do an audit of all casual SSAs employed since August 2023 and to make these casual workers permanent. In an email, the government said they do not comment on ongoing employment matters. Bianca McEwen, CBC News, Iqaluit.