N.S. warns parents to prepare for teachers' strike after Dec. 5

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union has called for a strike vote on Feb. 20, 2018.

HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia government is warning parents they should start making plans in case their children aren't in class after Dec. 5.

An "information notice" from the provincial Education Department was sent to parents of Halifax Regional School Board students Tuesday evening.

It notes teachers are in a legal strike position as of Saturday, Dec. 3, and says job action could come the following Monday.

It says the Nova Scotia Teachers Union must give 48 hours notice of job action.

In his email to parents distributing the notice, Halifax school superintendent Elwin LeRoux said he remains optimistic both sides "are committed to finding a solution."

But the notice says schools "could close" if teachers strike, while work-to-rule actions could affect drop-off and pickup times, lunch supervision and extracurricular activities.

"Start planning for the possibility that your child may not be attending classes and/or before and after school activities after December 5," the advisory says.

Last Thursday, Education Minister Karen Casey and the NSTU announced they would meet with a conciliator ahead of the Dec. 3 deadline. The move followed failed attempts in recent weeks to convene a conciliation board and to take the dispute to mediation.