Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey said she is disappointed the executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union is walking away from discussions aimed at improving teachers working conditions. Ms. Casey is responding to the teachers' union announcement made today, Nov. 9, that it would pull out of the Partnership on Systemic Working Conditions."We are committed to hearing from teachers, so we can improve their working conditions," said Ms. Casey. "This meeting will benefit members, but the union is refusing to engage."Ms. Casey said the Partnership on Systemic Working Conditions will continue and wants to find a way for teachers to directly participate in meetings. The minister noted teachers were hopeful this partnership would be a forum that could hear their concerns about working conditions.      "The union does not want to sit down with the department and representatives from the school boards to discuss working conditions," said Ms. Casey. "If the union will not come to the meeting, we still want to hear from teachers.""If teachers want to speak directly to government, we are here to listen."The first meeting of the Partnership on Systemic Working Conditions will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10. Source: Release