Education Minister Must Immediately Release Back Pay Owed to ECEs: CUPE 4745

This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by Business Wire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire Article contentHALIFAX, NS — The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling on the Nova Scotia Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) to take urgent action to ensure Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) receive the back pay they have been owed for months.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentDespite having earned these wages, ECEs across the province are still waiting because the Department has not authorized the funding to flow to child care centres. Without this authorization, centres cannot issue the payments.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“Everyone deserves to be paid on time, and our ECEs are no exception,” said Alan Linkletter, President of CUPE Nova Scotia. “The Minister has the ability and the responsibility to unlock this funding immediately. Delaying back pay only deepens the staffing challenges that already affect the entire child care sector.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentChild care centres across Nova Scotia continue to struggle to recruit and retain staff due to chronically low wages and longstanding undervaluation of the profession. Many centres remain unable to create enough spaces to meet demand—an issue worsened when workers are not compensated fairly or promptly.Article content“ECEs have upheld their end of the bargain. They’ve done the work, and they’re still waiting to be paid,” said Tabitha Warren, President of CUPE 4745 and an Early Childhood Educator. “This delay sends a message that the province doesn’t value the people who make child care possible. It’s unacceptable, and it needs to be fixed now.”Article contentCUPE is urging the Minister of EECD to authorize the release of all outstanding funds immediately so child care centres can distribute the back pay owed to workers.Article content“We’re committed to ensuring every ECE across the province receives the compensation they deserve, without further delay,” added Linkletter.Article contentmdj:so/cope491Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentView source version on businesswire.com: Article content https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312443672/en/Article contentArticle contentContactsArticle contentMedia contact: Article contentMary-Dan JohnstonArticle contentArticle contentCUPE Atlantic CommunicationsArticle contentArticle contentmjohnston@cupe.caArticle content#distroArticle contentTrending Should couple in their 50s who want to retire tap into RRSPs or apply for CPP? Family Finance 82 Canadians crack Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s billionaires. Here's the top 10 High Net Worth What's next for Roots, the iconic Canadian brand that said it might put itself up for sale? Retail & Marketing Posthaste: Canada is losing the productivity battle, even in the grocery aisles News Here's why bets are rising for interest rate hikes including for Canada Economy Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Should couple in their 50s who want to retire tap into RRSPs or apply for CPP? Family Finance 82 Canadians crack Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s billionaires. Here's the top 10 High Net Worth What's next for Roots, the iconic Canadian brand that said it might put itself up for sale? Retail & Marketing Posthaste: Canada is losing the productivity battle, even in the grocery aisles News Here's why bets are rising for interest rate hikes including for Canada Economy