HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the province agreed to return to the bargaining table Wednesday, even as 7,000 civil servants overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer from the government.

Premier Stephen McNeil had asked the teachers’ union to sit down with an “open mind” to attempt to reach an agreement.

The NSTU agreed, saying it was hopeful the request “signals a new approach” from the government.

But the teacher talks come as members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union voted 94 per cent to reject a tentative agreement.

Union president Jason MacLean says the union, which represents about 7,300 civil servants, wants to go back to the bargaining table.

Finance Minister Randy Delorey says the NSGEU deal was fair and affordable. He says his government will reach out to the union, but he would not say if they are willing to return to negotiations.