The contract that Saskatchewan teachers recently ratified will see general pay raises plus allowances for certain duties.
Teachers cast 12,637 ballots and voted 66 percent in favour of the three-year agreement, which is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2010.
Wages were a contentious issue during negotiations, and the dispute went to mediation. The mediator’s report formed the basis of the final agreement.
In the first year, teachers at the first step of the salary scale will earn a base of $40,277, while the highest paid will make $83,544. By year three, those salaries will rise to $42,929 and $88,347, respectively.
Read Also
Know what costs are involved in keeping crops in the bin
When you’re looking at full bins and rising calf prices, the human reflex is to hold on and hope for more. That’s not a plan. It’s a bet. Storage has a price tag.
In the previous contract, the base salary for entry level teachers was $38,712 and the maximum was $80,957.
Principals, vice-principals and assistant principals will continue to get additional pay for their extra duties.
The agreement also includes enhancements to health benefits.
Teachers staged their first-ever walkouts last May during the collective bargaining process, and thousands rallied at the provincial legislature.
After returning to work, they withdrew voluntary services such as coaching sports teams, and there was some concern that final exams could be affected. However, that did not happen.
Teachers should receive their retroactive pay before Nov. 30, according to the contract posted on the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation website.
