Prince George, B.C. – It appears classes will not be in session after the Labour Day long weekend in the public school system.

This after mediator Vince Ready walked away from the negotiating table this afternoon in Richmond because the BCTF and provincial government were too far apart in their contract demands.

Reaction on Twitter has been swift with the BCTF claiming the government was unwilling to move despite the fact the union dropped $125 million off their proposals while Premier Christy Clark has countered with “we remain committed to negotiating a fair deal with the BCTF as soon as possible, but it has to be affordable to taxpayers.”

In addition School District 57 Trustee Tim Bennett is calling it a “disappointing night. Kids in BC deserve better.”

And finally, reached at home tonight by phone, school board Chairperson Sharel Warrington would only respond by saying “how tragic.”