Shelley Morse concerned about school on Saturdays

The head of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) is concerned with comments made by the provinces education minister that teachers could work some Saturdays or even a day or two of March Break to make up for lost days.

It's in our contract that we don't work Saturdays, March Break or that the PD (professional development) days would have to be talked about in terms of bargaining," said Shelley Morse.

Education Minister Karen Casey says if schoolsreach a total of ten snow days that's too many.

In Cape Breton, one school board has cancelled school nine times and in the Annapolis Valley, the total is eight.

"Using professional development days for instructional days has to be in co-operation with the teachersunion. Union PresidentShelley Morse and I have had that discussion," said Education Minister Karen Casey.

But if all else fails, Casey says she does have the power to direct boards to open on days they are scheduled to be closed.

Casey says that wouldn't be a blanket edict. It would only apply to boards with unusually high numbers of snow days.

The teachers union contract expires at the end of theschool year. Provisions for snow days could be on the table this summer when the two sides sit down to work out a new deal.