The Nova Scotia government and teachers union have agreed to return to talks after more than one week of job action.
READ MORE: Nova Scotia schools to reopen Tuesday, work-to-rule still in place
Contract talks broke off almost three weeks ago when the Nova Scotia Teachers Union left the table.
Premier Stephen McNeil made the request to return to talks in a letter sent Tuesday but only released on Wednesday. The letter sent to Labour Minister Kelly Regan asked her to make the formal request to bring both parties back to the table.
His letter calls for “open-minds and reasonable perspectives” at negotiations.
Union President Liette Doucet said in an emailed statement she looks forward to returning to the negotiating table.
“Teachers want the ability to negotiate for better classroom conditions and a fair contract,” Doucet said.
“To this point, the specter of Bill 148 has restricted the collective bargaining process and prevented meaningful negotiations from occurring. We are hopeful this request from the premier signals a new approach from his government.”
READ MORE: Nova Scotia premier defends actions against teachers, negotiating style
Teachers have been working-to-rule since last Monday. Two days before work-to-rule started, the government announced it would close schools to students citing safety concerns.
It also said it would impose a legislated contract in order to restore full operations at schools. However, it reversed course on the school closures and the legislated contract on the first day schools were closed.
McNeil’s letter calls the teacher’s work-to-rule “disruptive” for the schools “both outside and inside the classroom.”
“Despite frustrations experienced by all parties, I ask that we come together in an attempt to resolve this impasse to ensure students can fully return to a high functioning school system,” McNeil said.
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