The Nova Scotia government and teachers union will return to contract talks.
Education Minister Karen Casey announced Thursday she asked the labour department to restart conciliation and a government conciliator extended the offer to the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. The union agreed to talks but says a strike is still possible as early as Dec. 3.
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“We’re happy to get back to the table, and hopefully we will be able to reach an agreement,” union president Liette Doucet said in an emailed statement. “However, until an agreement is reached, our provincial executive will continue to plan and implement a strategy for job action.”
Casey told reporters she hopes the talks will avert job action.
“I believe it’s important that we look at how we can — both sides — move forward recognizing that the students in this province are our priority,” she said.
The request to return to talks marks a reversal in the government’s position on contract negotiations. After teachers rejected a second tentative agreement Casey repeatedly told reporters more talks were not an option.
“We believe collective bargaining has run its course,” she said on Oct. 5. “Going back to the table would not be another option.”
READ MORE: Teacher’s strike looms as union and NS government no closer to a contract
The NSTU then asked Casey to agree to a conciliation board but the government would only accept the board if the union agreed to preconditions.
The teachers’ union also asked for a mediator to be appointed to help come to a solution, however Labour Minister Kelly Regan rejected that option on Nov. 9, saying she didn’t believe there was a reasonable chance of a resolution.
Teachers have been at odds with the province for months — they’ve rejected two tentative agreements, and voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate in October.
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