The union representing staff and faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is ‘very disappointed’ talks have not yet continued, while the possibility of a strike, looms.

According to the Atlantic Academic Union (AAU), which represents thousands of workers, meetings with a conciliator have been pushed back, due to the college being unavailable.

Conciliation was expected to start this week.

Suan Thompson-Graham lead negotiator for the union, says faculty work over 70 hours a week including nights and weekends with hundreds of students to deal with.

She adds that pay hasn’t caught up with inflation, but there have been increases in wages for management. Some positions have even been reclassified as management roles, particularly with librarians which has workers concerned not only about job security, but there being less staff for students.

NSCC says their focus remains on reaching an agreement without the need for job action.

AAU filed for a conciliator January 19.