Saskatchewan students who were missing out on football games, school dances and other extra-curricular activities breathed a sigh of relief late last week.
The province’s 12,000 teachers reached a tentative collective agreement with the government and school trustees Sept. 15, two days after bargaining resumed and a week after the teachers began a work-to-rule campaign.
Neither side would release details, but it was widely reported the deal included wage increases totaling 9.5 percent over 32 months, beginning Jan. 1, 2000.
The contract also includes better benefits.
Education minister Jim Melenchuk congratulated the bargaining committees on the agreement.
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“I am particularly pleased teachers will be resuming their extra-curricular activities and lunch hour supervision immediately,” he said. “This is good news for our students and our schools.”
Thousands of students cut classes to protest the teachers’ action. Many of them supported higher wages for their teachers, while others said they shouldn’t be caught in the middle of a dispute between adults.
The teachers had been without a contract since Dec. 31, 1999. They wanted a 17.5 percent increase in wages and benefits over three years, and rejected a 7.2 percent wage increase over two years offered in May.
The ratification vote on last week’s agreement is expected in early October.
