P.E.I. teacher contract talks break down, union asks for binding arbitration

Contract talks between P.E.I.'s 2,200 teachers and the provincial government have broken down.

The P.E.I. Teachers' Federation is now ask for binding arbitration as a way to settle on a new deal, which would mean both government and the teachers would have to live with the decision of a third party.

We just felt that the government's offer was not fair.- Bethany  MacLeod, P.E.I. Teachers' Federation president

Federation president Bethany MacLeod said the main concern is the working conditions facing Island teachers.

"We're talking about prep time, especially for administrators. We have a lack of guidance support, we have a lack of counsellors and resource teachers," she said.

"All of this is, you know, falling on the backs of teachers, which ultimately affects our students. It is much more than salary. But we just felt that the government's offer was not fair. We can't really go into much detail with that. But we just felt that a lot of these things all came to a head yesterday and that is why bargaining has come to an impasse."

Province hopeful talks will resume

In a letter to teachers sent Wednesday night, the union said it has been at the bargaining table for 30 days with little movement on key issues.

The union argues the province isn't addressing the other concerns of teachers, adding that salary increases offered to teachers don't match what other unions working for government have received.

The letter goes on to say, "The committee felt that, once again, teachers have been undervalued and disrespected by government."

Meanwhile, officials with the Department of Education say they don't comment on the details of contract negotiations, but remain hopeful talks will continue and an agreement can be reached to "ensure sustainable supports for our Island learners."

The current contract between the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation and the province ended in August.

Teachers on P.E.I. do not have the right to strike.