School buses will be back on roads in northern Nova Scotia Wednesday morning as the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board and CUPE, Local 3890 agree to move to mediation.
More than 400 bus drivers and support staff with the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board walked off the job Monday morning.
The union said contracting out work is the main issue in contract talks.
School board spokeswoman Debbie Buott-Matheson said about 17,000 of the board's 20,000 students usually travel by bus.
She said parents were asked to find alternate ways, such as carpooling, in order to get students to school during the strike.
The school board issued a press release Tuesday, saying that the two sides have agreed to mediation.
Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan, at the request of Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey, has appointed veteran mediator Bruce Outhouse to help in contract negotiations.
According to a press release from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Outhouse is an “experienced mediator, arbitrator and lawyer who has successfully mediated many negotiations.”
"A mediator will provide support to the parties, and bring fresh perspective to the negotiations," said Regan.
"Mr. Outhouse has extensive experience dealing with these types of disputes at both the regional and national levels, and I'm pleased he's able to help the parties."
The union has agreed to go back to work while mediation is underway. Some staff reported to work Tuesday afternoon, while others will return Wednesday morning.
Buses will return to normal routes and service Wednesday morning.
“CCRSB would like to thank all students, parents, guardians and staff for the patience and understanding they have shown throughout this process,” said Buott-Matheson in a release.
The Chignecto-Central Regional School Board is the second largest school board in the province.
