Talks with a conciliator will begin this week between the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and the Atlantic Academic Union (AAU).

Thousands of union members may walk off the job, if the two sides can’t come to a collective agreement.

NSCC says work has been productive so far and that they ‘look forward to working with the conciliation officer’.

AAU said they were disappointed earlier this month, when talks scheduled for the first week of February, were pushed back due to the college being unavailable.

Susan Thompson-Graham lead negotiator for the union, says the key issues they are fighting for include working conditions, job security and wages.

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

Negotiations started in August but came to an impasse.

AAU filed for a conciliator January 19.

Meetings resume Wednesday and Thursday.