STRATFORD, P.E.I. -- A union that represents more than 1,700 teachers in Prince Edward Island says it has walked away from negotiations with the province.

Prince Edward Island Teachers' Federation president Gilles Arsenault is accusing the government of engaging in bad faith bargaining.

Arsenault says in a news release that the union feels the government does not understand the needs of today's classroom and "doesn't seem to care."

The union says since 2010, more than 140 teaching positions have been eliminated.

Arsenault says the cuts are a political decision to help balance the budget and have nothing to do with declining enrolment.