The Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) will be at the table Monday and Tuesday with the province, trying to negotiate a new collective agreement.

Last week, 10,000 union members voted an overwhelming 98 per cent in favour of strike action if they can’t reach a fair deal.

President Ryan Lutes calls it a ”resounding wake-up call” to the province to acknowledge the challenges teachers are facing, especially violence in schools.

Lutes stresses they don’t want to strike but will if they can’t come to an agreement.

Minister of Education Becky Druhan says she’s disappointed but ”not surprised” at the result of the vote and that the government remains focused on reaching a deal.

The two sides have been negotiating since June.

If talks break down again, the conciliator will need to file a report to the minister of labour, followed by a 14-day cooling off period.

Meanwhile, there will be another “Our Kids Can’t Wait Rally” in Halifax, Monday afternoon.

This follows the demonstration April 10, where around 500 NSTU members lined the streets in Lower Sackville to bring awareness their challenges, including school violence.

This rally will be from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Armdale roundabout.