Negotiations between the province at the Canadian Union of Public Employees continued this week in Victoria, but the two sides were unable to come to a deal.
CUPE issued a statement on last Friday, stating that they are making progress, but they insist the threat of a strike looms.
“There has been give and take for the first time at the table,” said CUPE president’s council chair, Colin Pawson. “Discussions are ongoing, but negotiations have reached a critical stage.”
The message from the other side of the table suggests that if talks continue and progress is made, they don’t expect workers to walk off the job.
“Although there are rumours of a job action starting next week, the union is giving no indication that job action will commence while talks continue,” Deborah Stewart, Public School Employers Association, human resources consultant, said.
If talks do break down, parents will received a 72-hour advance strike notice.
More negotiations are scheduled for this week.
“Because talks are still ongoing, no news is good news,” said CUPE Local 2145 representative, Barbel Schroeter.
“We are hopeful we can reach an acceptable agreement.”
Schroeter was expecting an update at some point this week.