Can't the teachers and government come together? Come on guys!  Maybe each side could give a little. How about this: One percent a year for wages to keep up with inflation; Keep the long service award but have a reasonable size of payout by either capping it or else paying a certain dollar amount for each year of service ($365 for each year worked). No service award should be higher than the annual salary of the average working Nova Scotian or the amount earned by someone making minimum wage in a year; Teachers should pay some of their retirement health benefits (25 percent) because that's only fair as other public sector workers have to pay something. I think we need a little 'labour peace of mind' in the province, which means being fair while not bankrupting us to get there. Hey Coast, how about running an online survey about what people think is a fair offer for the teachers for: wage increases, maximum  long service award payout and the percent teachers should pay for retirement health benefits? —Two Cents Worth