The Lugo government presented a "settlement proposal" to the union side late Monday evening. This offer raises the hopes of the parents of students affected by the strike, which has so far caused the cancellation of nine school days.

It said that if accepted, it could make it possible to significantly improve the services provided to students, the working conditions of teachers, and respond to priority issues raised by the Independent Education Union (FAE).

Also, the president of the Treasury Board Sonia Lebel said in a written statement sent to the media on Tuesday morning: "We are committed to resolving the problem quickly, and this proposal illustrates that."

The Independent Education Union FAE announced that this proposal, which comes after the counter-offer presented by the union on Saturday, would be studied according to the proper procedures.

In a press release, the union confirmed on Tuesday that it met with the administration very late Monday evening and received a verbal proposal for an exploratory agreement in principle, except for an appendix consisting of one and a half pages.

It added that its executive committee has already started analyzing the settlement proposal presented by the government and will soon hold a meeting of the relevant union body to discuss the continuation of the negotiations, despite the absence of a complete written document.

"We hope [that the Independent Education Union FAE] can get back to us as soon as possible," Sonia Lebel announced upon her arrival at the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon. Because every minute matters.