Negotiations with unions representing more than 25,000 school support staff are back Wednesday, with a strike mandate already in place for B.C.’s 60 school districts as the new school year gets underway.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender says he is hopeful that a settlement with clerical staff, custodians, bus drivers and other support staff can be achieved without picket lines disrupting classes. Talks broke off in August.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing most of the workers, says they haven’t had a raise in four years.

“Negotiator Peter Cameron told union leaders in mid-August he would not return to talks until boards have savings plans in place. Fassbender said Wednesday that “a large majority are well underway, and many are in place” so talks can resume.”

Superintendent Bev Young – School District #53 (Okanagan Similkameen) says “CUPE employees have been without a contract since June 2012.  The board of School District 53 is reviewing its budget to determine where savings can be achieved in order to provide an increase to CUPE and avoid disruption to students this fall.  We are currently reviewing telephone costs, printing efficiencies and unfilled vacancies.  We are looking at everything.”