There appears to have been little movement in negotiations between the Ontario government and the union representing 55,000 educational support workers on Thursday, with days remaining before another potential strike that could lead to the closure of Ontario schools. But Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he hopes both sides will return to the bargaining table.

Lecce said in an interview with CP24 Breakfast this morning: "Today and in the coming days, we expect there will be talks. You know, in the end, despite the strike notice, we can still have productive talks at the table and that’s what I’m trying to do."

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced on Wednesday that it had given a mandatory five-day strike notice after renewed bargaining broke down, representing custodians, educational assistants, administrative staff, and other workers.

Workers and the government also returned to the bargaining table after a brief strike earlier this month. The strike ended when the Ford government agreed to repeal legislation that prevented workers from striking but used a clause nevertheless to avoid any potential constitutional challenges against their legislation. The Ford government's move sparked protests from labor groups and even led Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to describe the move as inappropriate.

The union has also since said that both sides recently agreed on a 3.59 percent wage increase, but CUPE remains unhappy with the staffing levels for their workers.

Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario, told CP24 on Thursday: "From the start, this bargaining has been about the chronic low wages of these workers, but it has also been about services in schools." She added that the jobs the union fights for must exist "so students get the support they need to succeed." She explained that talks broke down again because "it’s hard to negotiate with yourself."

Lecce said the government has done what was asked by repealing the law and approving wage improvements and is frustrated by the union striking again. He also added that he believes compensation remains the "core fault line" in negotiations, despite CUPE insisting it is no longer a major issue.

Both sides see themselves as fighting for the children in the labour dispute, but parents and children are left in the middle.