Five thousand school support workers will not be walking off the job.

According to a release from CUPE, the eight locals around the province have each voted to ratify their collective agreements after nearly one year of bargaining.

Nelson Scott, Chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions and President of CUPE 5050 says their approach was ”all of us, or none of us”.

“All eight locals, all 5,000 workers, we were in this together. And together, we were able to find common ground with the employer. Together, we achieved a deal we are proud of.”

One of the key priorities included violence in the workplace.

Violence has been a big issue for school support staff with more than 600 cases reported in schools between September 2023 and March 2024, according to a worker-led report.

Now, CUPE says, according to a signed agreement from Minister of Education Brendan Maguire, they will be part of future discussions involving safety in schools.

There has also been improvement to health and safety language.

These negotiations also included wage adjustments to benefit those who make the least, as well as improving overtime, leave benefits and pensions.

President of CUPE, Nan McFadgen says school support staff are an integral part of the public education system.

“Their dedication to their work, and the service they provide to this province, was as much part of the negotiations as any of the issues on the table. I hope Nova Scotians realize that a good deal for public workers means a good deal for our public services.”

In October, 94 per cent of school support staff voted in favour of a strike as negotiations moved to conciliation before a tentative agreement was reached February 28.