B.C. teachers' strike: BCTF members vote on tentative deal
'Yes' majority would mean many schools would open Monday. Results expected 9:30 p.m. PT today
B.C. teachers are voting today on the tentative agreement reached with the government, and if approved, could see some schools reopen as early as Monday.
While many close to the talks are happy a deal was reached, not everyone is singing its praises, and some teachers are even advocating for a No vote.
Many teachers will attend study sessions on Thursday morning with union leaders to learn more and ask questions about the tentative deal, before they head to the polls.
Although the two sides agreed not to release many details of the tentative pact, CBC News has obtained several union documents outlining the specifics.
- MORE | BCTF letter outlines tentative agreement
- FULL COVERAGE | B.C. teachers' strike
Here's how the proposed six-year, 7.25 per cent wage increase breaks down:
- There is no retroactive raise for the year already completed.
- Teachers will get two per cent more this month plus another 1.25 per cent in January.
- Additional raises will follow in July 2016 and then roughly every year until 2019.
In addition to the wage increases, other benefits being offered include:
- Extended health and dental benefits will get an $11.9-million boost.
- Teacher on-call rates will be increased.
- Elementary school teachers will get a total of 100 minutes of prep time a week.
Extra funds will also be applied to several areas:
- A $105-million fund will be established to settle grievances from the ongoing court case. That money will be paid out by the union as a signing bonus.
- A $400-million education fund will go toward improving classroom conditions, which will include hiring as many as 850 new teachers a year.
Results tonight, school could start Monday
The B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) will hold a press conference starting at 9:30 p.m. PT on Thursday to report the results of the vote.
Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey, and Delta school districts have said that, should the strike end, short orientation days will be held Monday, with full-day classes starting Tuesday.
Check back with CBC News online for full coverage of the teachers' vote and updates about when classes may begin.
With files from the CBC's Stephen Smart