Nsgeu Collective Agreement Bereavement

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) has recently signed a new collective agreement that includes provisions for bereavement leave for its unionized workers. This new agreement, which covers nearly 10,000 employees across various sectors of the public service, provides much-needed support and time off for workers who have lost a loved one.

Under the new agreement, unionized employees will be entitled to five days of paid bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Immediate family members include a spouse, child, parent, step-parent, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. Employees will also be entitled to three days of paid bereavement leave for the death of a non-immediate family member, such as an aunt, uncle, cousin, or domestic partner.

This new agreement is a significant improvement over the previous version, which only provided three days of paid bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member. It also brings the NSGEU in line with other public sector unions across Canada, which typically provide five to ten days of paid bereavement leave.

Bereavement leave is an important benefit that provides employees with the time and space they need to grieve and make necessary arrangements after the death of a loved one. It is a recognition of the importance of family and the fact that employees need support during difficult times.

The NSGEU should be commended for negotiating this new agreement, which provides its members with a significant improvement in bereavement leave benefits. As a result of this new agreement, unionized workers in Nova Scotia can take comfort in knowing that they have a supportive employer who recognizes the importance of family and understands the need for compassionate leave during difficult times.