New Brunswick’s finance minister says he is hopeful an agreement with teachers can be reached.
It comes as a strike countdown by the New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation (NBTF) nears its halfway point.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, Ernie Steeves said the conciliation board held a hearing on June 17.
Their report is due within 30 days following the hearing and should be received early in July, he said.
“This is part of the collective bargaining process, and our government is optimistic that the parties will be able to reach an agreement that meets the needs of both sides,” Steeves said in the statement.
NBTF, which represents the province’s 9,000 teachers, has said they want to see compensation and working conditions that are reflective of today’s realities.
RELATED: N.B. teachers head to conciliation in June
The federation said the two per cent annual increase offered by the government does not consider current inflation rates and will not address recruitment and retention issues.
NBTF members also raised concerns about what they described as an ultimatum presented by the government where schools would remain open during inclement weather but no buses would be running.
“How would this impact the rights of all children to access education, including those who are the most vulnerable and face additional barriers?” Connie Keating, co-president of the federation, said during a news conference in May.
The federation issued a 100-day strike countdown which began on May 20. A strike vote will be held if a tentative agreement is not reached before Aug. 28.
But Keating said they are committed to finding a solution at the bargaining table and not on the picket lines.
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