Thousands of teachers in the province are preparing to head back to the classroom next week even though they won’t have a contract in place.

Talks are underway for a new deal, as a long-term contract that brought labour peace to teachers in the province for five years, expires Friday.

Alberta teachers, school boards and the government are taking part in contract discussions and there is hope that a new deal can be reached later this fall.

“We’ve really been striving to try and have another provincial, long-term agreement,” said Education Minister Jeff Johnson.

“We’ve got a pretty good relationship with the Alberta Teacher’s Association and teachers in Alberta.”

The parties hope to have something in place by the end of October, as a five-year agreement expires Friday.

“It’s been very fruitful and it’s been very good for education across the province,” Johnson said.

“Our goal is to try and repeat that and have another long-term agreement right across the province so that those labour discussions are off the table and we can focus on what’s important and that’s kids and their educational experience.”

Discussions are centered on the length of the deal, dispute resolution and wages.

Workload is also a big issue for teachers.

“That’s the one that’s been the sticking point for teachers,” said Carol Henderson, president of the Alberta Teacher’s Association.

“That’s the one that we’ve been hearing in the last year.”

Henderson says some teachers work up to 60 hours a week.

Increased workload is due to several factors including new reporting systems and new expectations of the minister, boards, and the school administration.

Despite Thursday’s fiscal message from the Finance Minister – that the province is tightening its belt so others are expected to do the same – Henderson says she doesn’t think the warning will affect teachers.

And while negotiations are ongoing, Henderson says parents shouldn’t have any reason to worry about this school coming school year.

“It is business as usual as far we’re concerned because that money is already in the budget for education and its been announced,” she said.

“Parents don’t have any worries, any concerns about withdrawal of services because we’re in the process and we are very committed to the process.”

With files from Susan Amerongen