Nova Scotia Housing Agency Restructures: 7 Jobs Cut Amid Streamlining Efforts

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency is eliminating 32 roles but creating 25 new ones, resulting in a net loss of seven positions. Interim CEO Vicki Elliott emphasizes this is not a cost-cutting measure but a move to streamline operations and improve services.

Union Concerns

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) represents 11 affected workers. President Sandra Mullen argues the changes will negatively impact public housing services, especially during a housing crisis. She criticizes the lack of consultation with frontline staff, calling it a "real disconnect between leadership and staff."

Background

The restructuring stems from the amalgamation of five separate housing authorities into one provincial agency four years ago. Centralizing tasks like application processing and income review aims to ensure consistency and free up districts to focus on tenant services. Affected positions are middle management, not frontline roles.

Labour Board Process

The changes come as unionized workers are in the midst of a Labour Board process to reduce their union representation from five to three or fewer, leaving them unable to bargain collectively for the past year. Mullen calls the timing "distasteful."