Both sides of an education pay dispute claim they were always open to negotiations. 

The mega-strike is winding down after some 100,000 health workers, teachers, and public sector staff walked off the job. 

Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's disappointing - considering the Government's been willing to keep the issue at the bargaining table. 

NZEI's Liam Rutherford says so have they. 

"We've never left the negotiating table - we had three afternoons last week, the primary teachers did, trying to get an offer out of the PSC and we've got dates to go back in the coming weeks as well."

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