The union representing Nova Scotia’s more than 9,000 public school teachers is scheduled to continue contract talks with the government through the weekend.
Government spokesperson Heather Fairbairn confirmed Friday that negotiations are ongoing between the two parties and meetings are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
READ MORE: Minister questions NS teachers’ training trips during work-to-rule
The NSTU and government wrapped three days of talks with a concilliation officer Thursday evening, with neither side saying whether progress was being made.
According to a release from the NSTU, members of the negotiating team, including union President Liette Doucet, won’t be speaking with media.
Doucet did address concerns raised by Education Minister Karen Casey about teachers attending a professional development (PD) training trip in Hawaii during the work-to-rule.
“All PD was booked prior to December 5 when NSTU members began work-to-rule,” the statement reads.
It goes on to say a FAQ by school boards to teachers stated teachers “have the right to attend the approved PD and be reimbursed for it.”
“This does not change even if the approved PD activity turns out to fall within a ‘work-to-rule’ or ‘full strike’. So, as long as the teacher actually does attend and fully participate in the pre-approved PD Activity, the previous commitment to reimbursement will be honored.”
Doucet went on to say she was disappointed by Casey’s statement, and that it “does nothing to build trust” or help resolve the conflict.
READ MORE: Work-to-rule causing roadblocks as Nova Scotia teachers, government return to talks
“It’s unfortunate that while both sides are working around the clock in an attempt to reach a new contract, Minister Casey is making disparaging remarks about teachers,” Doucet said.
Teachers have been working-to-rule since December, meaning they aren’t facilitating anything outside their contract. That includes extracurricular activities, sports coaching, and various administrative tasks.
The Education Department says the province provides about $6.4 million a year for professional development for teachers.
Debbie Buott-Matheson, a spokeswoman for the Chignecto Central School Board, said the board approved travel for 11 teachers to Hawaii prior to Dec. 5.
READ MORE: Nova Scotia Teachers Union remains in conciliation with government
“Before they can even go they need approval from the (board’s) professional development committee,” she said. “They fill out an application … it’s reviewed by the committee and they determine whether or not they believe that the learning opportunity is such that it can be supported by the fund.”
Buott-Matheson said the board’s teachers can be reimbursed up to $1,850 for two school years.
The Halifax Regional School Board, the province’s largest, said its teachers may apply for up to $1,300 every second budget year to attend a conference and can be reimbursed for such things as conference registration, meals, lodging and travel.
All require receipts except meals, which are reimbursed at a per diem of $45 per day.
Information provided by the board shows 95 teachers have been approved for conference travel between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28 to cities including Washington, Chicago, Atlanta and Toronto.
READ MORE: Future Nova Scotia teachers see in-class practicums stalled indefinitely
The NSTU and the government have been locked in a heated contract dispute for months, as the two sides are at odds over several factors of two previously proposed contracts.
Teachers want to see working conditions included in the contract, something the government says is not going to happen.
The government also wants to freeze the long-service award retroactive to 2015, which teachers say is a breaking point for them.
With files from The Canadian Press
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