The following is a statement from Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey:

“The outcome of today’s union vote is disappointing for students, parents, and government. This was the third tentative agreement reached with the union leadership and it was reached after an intense and productive period of bargaining.

This agreement provided a fair wage offer and showed we were willing to make further investments in classrooms. The agreement contained $20 million that we could invest to improve classroom conditions and it gave teachers a say in how that money would be invested.

I want to assure parents and guardians that their child’s education is a priority for government.

We must now take time to consider the next step.”

Source: Release