Contract talks have been put on hold between the Halifax Chronicle Herald and its newsroom staff.
The employer decided to pull the plug on Friday after only three and a half days.
Instead, they have issued a letter to the minister of labour to request a conciliator be appointed to help reach an agreement.
The Halifax Typographical Union says they are prepared to go back to the table at any time.
Sixty-three unionized reporters, photographers, writers, editors, columnists and other staff are affected across Nova Scotia.
