The six tertiary institutions involved in the multi employer collective agreement (MECA) negotiations with the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) believe progress has been made despite no settlement from the latest round of negotiation.

Group spokesperson, Dr Rick Ede, says it is disappointing not to come to an agreement in the latest round of negotiation, with the group almost resigned to the fact that this issue will roll over to 2010.

"While it is pleasing to see both parties willing to talk again after negotiations stalled recently, it is disappointing to see that the TEU has again disregarded the principles of good faith bargaining by taking bargaining matters into the public arena," says Dr Ede.

"Despite this, we will continue to keep our communications lines open with the TEU in pursuit of a suitable solution for both parties."

Representatives from the MECA group met with the TEU over two days of mediation and negotiation earlier this week and put several offers on the table.

The MECA group tabled offers with amendments to its claims around discretionary leave and total teaching days but this was not accepted by the TEU.

In response, the TEU put in an offer for the existing agreement to roll over until next year and start negotiations again, something the MECA group did not see as productive considering the current education climate, and the ongoing disruption it has already caused students.

The MECA group will however consider the TEU's offer to enter discussions around the possiblity of negotiating with individual tertiary providers as opposed to the MECA .

It will make a formal response to the TEU by December 17.

Dr Ede says the group is hopeful of further negotiation in order to come to an agreement before the start of Semester 1, 2010, and ensure students start their year without any further disruptions.

"Our terms are very much driven by increasing pressures placed on tertiary institutions to produce results and increase productivity. This is very much in line with the Government's current expectations."

Unitec Institute of Technology, NorthTec, Wintec, Bay of Plenty Polytech, Western Institute of Technology and Whitireia Community Polytech have been in contract negotiations with the TEU since June.