The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the mediator who was helping with bargaining with the government this week has determined the two sides are too far apart and that talks should be put on hold.

The mediator’s requested CUPE and the province return to the negotiating table November 1 — just two days before 55,000 education workers; including early childhood care, administration staff and custodians, will be in a legal strike position.

CUPE has to give five-days notice of any planned job action.

CUPE’s Laura Walton says it’s ”very possible” they could move to a full-strike, rather than begin with a work-to-rule campaign.

She says in previous bargaining, work-to-rule didn’t provide enough pressure, pointing how in 2019 a last-minute deal was reached the day before a full strike was to begin.