The Bluewater District School Board is getting ready to sit down with teachers to talk contract -- but they really can't because of pending teacher legislation from the Liberal government.

Administrator of Employee Relations Cynthia Lemon says they're ready to sit down with several groups in October to talk contract but they have to wait for the outcome of the provincial move to freeze teacher wages for the next two years.

Board Chair Jan Johnstone says it means the province is basically telling the board that they will dictate the contract and they're against that.

Johnstone says she understands the board has a responsibility to help reduce the province's 15-billion-dollar deficit.

However imposing any kind of collective agreement on the board denies them the right to bargain locally, lawfully and in good faith.

Johnstone says the teachers have already said they accept the wage freeze so she's not sure what the pending legislation is supposed to do.

As it stands the legislation freezes senior teachers wages for two years while younger teachers continue to work their way up the salary ladder.

It also affects benefits regarding sick days and the practice of using unused days just before retirement.

Catholic teachers and French teachers have already agreed to the legislation.