Premier Stephen McNeil says unionized government employees should not expect sweeter deals if they turn down what the province is currently offering.

Teachers have rejected the tentative deal their executive recommended. It included salary increases of three per cent over four years.

"Make no mistake. This is about the province. This is about the fiscal health of the province," McNeil said.

"I will use whatever legislative tools I have to ensure that we stay within the fiscal framework to make sure that not only can we deliver a fair collective agreement to employees who work for us, but that we can actually move our province back to balance," he said.

McNeil said he wants the province to invest in other things, such as health care infrastructure.

"I have a hospital we have downtown that I have to deal with," he said.

Civil servants are scheduled to vote on a similar package in the new year.

McNeil says that's all there is in the way of salary increases. He says if he can't get negotiated settlements, there's always legislation.