New Brunswick has reached a collective agreement with more than 3,300 school support workers that includes wage increases totaling $5 per hour over four years and new measures to address chronic bus driver shortages.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1253 signed the deal covering school bus drivers, maintenance workers, custodians and other education support staff across the province’s school districts.
Wage increases and premiums
The agreement provides hourly wage increases of $1 in the first year, $1.10 in the second year, $1.30 in the third year and $1.60 in the fourth year, retroactive to April 1, 2024. Workers will also receive a new recruitment and retention premium.
“We rely on these employees to keep our education system running smoothly each and every day, whether they are transporting students or keeping the schools clean and in good working order,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy.
The deal includes increases to various allowances, adjustments to weekend and split-shift premiums, and higher on-call premiums for weekends and holidays.
Addressing driver shortages
A key provision creates a new bus driver classification that allows school districts to hire permanent drivers and assign them by geographic location. The change aims to reduce the number of bus routes cancelled due to driver absenteeism, a persistent problem affecting student transportation.
Workers will also gain greater access to vacation days through revisions to the vacation entitlement structure.
“I want to thank the negotiators on both sides who worked diligently to reach a fair and well-deserved deal,” Legacy said.
The agreement covers essential support staff who maintain school facilities and transport students across New Brunswick’s education system.
