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B.C. teachers endorse six-year deal, 86 per cent in favour (with VIDEO)

Most school districts will be up and running on Monday, BCTF president Jim Iker says after members back his recommendation
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BCTF president Jim Iker announces the results of Thursday's teacher vote. 86 per cent of the BCTF's members voted to ratify a new six-year deal with the government


B.C. teachers have voted strongly in favour of ending their strike and returning to work next week.

B.C. Teachers' Federation members voted 86 per cent in favour of a six-year agreement negotiated with the help of mediator Vince Ready this week.

"I'm happy with this deal," said BCTF president Jim Iker. It gives the province's 40,000 teachers a raise of 7.25 per cent over six years, improvements to benefits and a fund to hire hundreds of new teachers each year.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender congratulated teachers on the settlement, which ends a bitter strike that shut schools for two weeks in June and another three weeks this fall.

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

Premier Christy Clark added her thanks on Twitter.

"This is a fair, affordable deal that will let us focus on putting students first," Clark said.

VIDEO: BCTF president Jim Iker addresses the province's teachers





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