Stephen McNeil won't rule out legislation after teachers reject deal

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeilhopesnegotiations with the province's teachers will resumeafter they rejected a tentative agreementTuesday, but he doesn't ruleout legislating a contract.

That legislation could also affect other public sector workers who are in contract talks with the province.

"We'll look at our options and we will begin that conversation, but this has only happened yesterday so we'll see what's next," the premier said Wednesday. "We've laid out what we thought was a fair offer, thesame offer we've offered across the entire sector.

"Do I have a piece of legislation that's completely solid drafted today?No. But if you're asking me if it'ssomething we thought about as part of our process, of course it is.Every government does, that is just a natural aspect.

"It would be irresponsible if we didn't think about it. We can't have services completely shut down so it's part of that process."

Nova Scotia teachersvoted against the contract offer, which had beenrecommended by the executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.The turnout was high94 per cent of members castballots. Sixty-oneper cent of themvoted against it.

McNeil said he was "disappointed" teachers refused to ratify the tentative deal, adding the Liberal governmenthas pumped $65 million into education, capping class sizes and hiring more teachers.

McNeil would not say howrejection of the teachers dealmay affect how other public sector workers vote,

The government and the Nova Government and General Employees Union, which represents 7,600 civil servants,worked out a tentativecollective agreement last month similar to what teachers were offered.

The four-year agreement includes a wage freeze for the first two years anda total three-per cent bump in pay over the last two.

'We'll respond accordingly'

"I haven't heard what the NSGEUisdoing," McNeil said."They have a package in front of them They'll make their decision, we'll respond accordingly."

The ongoing labour dispute with teachers won't have a big impact on education in the province, at least right away,aneducation consultant and government advisor predicted Wednesday

Complaints by teachers oflarge class sizes, longer work hours and schools in disrepair are ongoing concerns, Jim Gunn, a former school board superintendent told CBC Radio's Information Morning.

"Those are not new issues. Those are quite common over previous years."

Education reforms outlined in the Freeman reportwill continue "contract or no contract," Gunn said.

"In a way, this is going to be a time of tension and frustration for those ... at the negotiating table. Life goes on, we can do a lot more unrelated to articles in the collective agreement."

'All kinds of education reform can go on'

However, there are obstacles in the collective agreement that prevent some changes, he acknowledged.

The teachersunion has to be involved in changes to theschool year, removal of principals from the bargaining unit and changes toprofessional development days.

But processes designed to improve student achievement, the collection of better data from schools, early childhood intervention strategies and career development can move ahead.

"All kinds of education reform can go on.There's a drive on to do more about student achievement levels especially in literacy andnumeracy," Gunnsaid.