British Columbia

B.C. teachers to get strike bonus this week, says BCTF

The province's 41,000 teachers will soon receive their cut of a $105 million payout from the government — part of the deal their union struck in September to end the three-month strike.

Union won't reveal how much each teacher will receive

President of the Surrey Teachers' Association says $10K in food vouchers already gone. (CBC)

The province's 41,000 teachers will soon receive their cut of a $105 million payout from the government — part of the deal their union struck in September to end the three-month strike.

Jim Iker, the president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation says the cheques will be sent out in the mail sometime this week, but he won't reveal how much each teacher will be getting.

"The amount of money hasn't been determined yet. But it will be soon. And so a teacher that is full-time will be getting the full amount we determine. And if you're part-time, you'll get a percentage of that, based on your part time."

While the payout has been called an unofficial signing bonus, under the terms of the deal struck with the government in September, the money is officially earmarked to settle retroactive grievances related to class size and composition.

Meanwhile the issues of class size and composition — and teachers' rights to negotiate them — are scheduled to be settled by the courts in the new year.