With the Nova Scotia Teachers Union’s work-to-rule job action expected to extend through the holidays, parents are taking things into their own hands to plan events for children.
Parent Roberta Hibbert is organizing two holiday red carpet movie screenings at local theatres, where children will have the opportunity to dress in their holiday best.
“I know that many kids have been waiting for this moment where they can wear their dress and spend time with their families,” Hibbert said.
The first event is Wednesday afternoon in Lower Sackville, while second will be held Dec. 19 in Dartmouth. Tickets are being sold online.
Hibbert's hoping to provide yet another alternative to Christmas concerts that have been cancelled at public schools across the province.
Three rounds of negotiations between the teachers union and the government have failed to yield a contract. Both sides say they want to return to the table, but no talks have been scheduled yet.
While Hibbert says the logistics of trying to recreate a holiday concert forced her to find a different option, other parents are taking it on.
A concert in Hammonds Plains involving more than 30 children has been rescheduled to Friday due to Monday's snow. Another concert slated for Sunday in Enfield involves more than 40 families.
“We've also invited members from retirement homes in the community to come and have front row seats and enjoy the kids' music,” said concert organizer Shannon Lumsden.
Though parents continue to work around the union's job action, they still say their support is firmly on the side of the teachers.
Public servants in the Nova Scotia government and General Employees Union are voting on their own tentative deal with government. It's the same wage package the teachers were offered more than a year ago.
Members are being asked to reject the deal in solidarity with the teachers.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.
