B.C. teachers say yes – 86 per cent

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — Most B.C. schools will open Monday as teachers voted 86 per cent in favour of a contract settlement with the provincial government.

B.C. Teachers Federation president Jim Iker delivered the decision of 31,000 teachers Thursday evening at a live-streamed news conference watched by 16,000 people.

“Schools will be opening on Monday,” he said. “I’m happy with this deal.”

The settlement gives teachers a 7.25-per cent salary increase, a signing bonus, health benefits and a guarantee that more teachers will be hired. With the solid vote to ratify the contract, the months-long strike that put the entire province on stress leave is over.

Iker said the six-year deal won’t require teachers to make up any of the time they missed during the strike. He said he hoped the money the government saved will go back into the system. “I’m hoping that money the government saved will go back to our schools and into the system.”

He said the Education Ministry has directed school district superintendents to follow the school-year calendar as laid out rather than trying to catch up by extending school days.

While Iker said most districts are expected to open schools Monday, at this writing there’s been no word from the Kamloops-Thompson Thompson District.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender issued a statement thanking the teachers for ratifying the contract.

“We have one of the best public education systems in the world, and that’s in large part because we have such great teachers.

“We can now focus on the path forward. This long-term agreement is an historic opportunity to work together for students – to enhance their education experience and to support their achievements.”