The Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) has elected Ryan Lutes as president after winning 51% of the vote in a second ballot on Thursday.
More than 9,500 NSTU members voted electronically during the first round of voting last Wednesday, but no winner was declared.
To win, a candidate must get a simple majority of votes, 50 percent plus one.
In the second round on Thursday, Lutes secured the position, narrowly defeating Peter Day.
“The shock is still happening, but I’m ready to work for the teachers,” CBC Radio’s Information Morning Nova Scotia Wrestling said Friday.
Lutes, a professor of mathematics at Halifax West High School, served as local president of the Halifax City NSTU from 2015 to 2021. He was recently elected Halifax City Representative to the provincial executive. of NSTU.
“When teachers receive support, when teachers receive system support, they will take care of the children and that’s what I’ve always believed in,” he said. “And this has been a bit of my mantra during my various roles.”
The collective agreement will expire next year
The NSTU collective agreement will expire in about a year. Lutes said he wants to start developing a new deal while strengthening the union and talking to parents and teachers about what is important to them.
He said he has already met with some teachers in the province who have said that the challenges of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic have only added to the pressures of work, in addition to the scarcity of staff.
“They’re not supported in the best way and it’s hard for them to deal with that and try to really support their students because that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“A lot of teachers go home thinking they could have done more, but they gave it their all and did what they could, so I think we really need to see education as an investment, and we need to think by investing in teachers because if we invest in teachers, they will take care of the children. “
Morning Information – NS8: 21 Meet the new president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union
Ryan Lutes is the newly elected president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, after receiving 51% of the votes from NSTU members. Portia asks him what he thinks of his narrow victory, what challenges he foresees, and what kind of relationship he expects with the Houston government.
Lutes said the union is willing to work with Prime Minister Tim Houston’s government, hoping to reach a fair agreement “that will move teachers and the system forward.”
“Teachers need more time to plan their students, to plan engaging lessons. Teachers tell me that especially after COVID, children are entering classes with needs they may not have had before,” he said.
“So we need to recognize that things can be different and that we need to do things a little differently and invest so that we can get these kids where they need to be and work forward so that we can have those positive impacts.”
In a statement, the NSTU said 59 percent of union members voted yesterday.
Lutes will take office on August 1, replacing Paul Wozney, who has served as president since 2018. Wozney was unable to run again because he served two terms.