The two sides aren’t far apart.

Last week members of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation voted 55 percent to reject the latest contract offer from the provincial government.

Friday, the two sides agreed to sit down on Wednesday to try and find a path towards a deal to end the protracted labour dispute.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill told reporters Friday binding arbitration may be the best way to go.

“We think binding arbitration is the best path forward now to make sure we can provide clarity to everyone, including teachers.” Cockrill said. “We want to make sure (graduations) happen as normal. Students are looking forward to those, families are looking forward to those, teachers are looking forward to those.”

The STF doesn’t seem to have any issues with going to binding arbitration. Its a process where both sides make their arguments to a neutral third party, and that person will write up the final deal.

“We do want to provide the opportunity for teachers to continue to have a final say on what comes through within negotiations,” said STF President Samantha Becotte.

“We are united in the fight to ensure that public education becomes and remains a priority for this government.”