Chief negotiators for both sides in the B.C. teachers' dispute are hunkered down at a Richmond hotel for talks this weekend as another week without school looms on the horizon for half a million British Columbia school children.

The chief negotiators for both sides are meeting with veteran mediator Vince Ready, who confirms bargaining is underway.

However, there is still little clarity about the nature of the bargaining or its scope as the parties have agreed not to talk until there is something to say.

On Wednesday, teachers voted by a margin of more than 99 per cent to end their strike if the government would agree to binding arbitration but the government rejected the offer out-of-hand saying it could lead to a tax hike.

Mediator Vince Ready arrives at a Richmond hotel to lead the talks as the two sides in the teachers' dispute try to find common ground. (CBC)

The school year has been delayed indefinitely as more than 40,000 teachers picket across the province, wait for their leadership and the government to strike an agreement so they can commence classes. Teachers started strike action almost two weeks before the end of the school year in June.

Bargaining has been at a near standstill while both sides attempt to gain public support. Families grow weary of the dispute and many on the picket lines say they yearn to start teaching again.

Legislated settlement coming?

Education Minister Peter Fassbender wants a negotiated settlement. Premier Christy Clark said earlier this week she is determined to get a conclusion before she flies out to India on a trade mission Oct. 9, three days after the legislature resumes.

B.C. Teachers Federation President Jim Iker chats on the phone during a break in negotiations at the Richmond hotel where bargaining is underway. (CBC)

Fassbender had flatly rejected back-to-work legislation until Thursday, when he softened his position and said legislation was another option available to government.

A coalition of Ontario public school educators donated $100,000 Friday to a growing pot of money being distributed as loans and grants to financially struggling teachers. The contribution raised an overall hardship fund to nearly $9 million.

Ontario Teachers' Federation president Rian McLaughlin represents 160,000 teachers, who she said have watched their B.C. counterparts suffer for a long time and want to show their support.

Three affiliates contributed to the donation: the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.