Teachers in our province have given a strong vote in favour of a new contract with the province.

Roughly 10,000 public school teachers have ratified the tentative deal reached between the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the provincial government back in April.

“This agreement contains several important gains for teachers, and while it doesn’t address all the challenges our schools are facing, it is a fair agreement that serves as a solid stepping stone to future progress,” says NSTU president Ryan Lutes. “This would not have been possible without the strength and solidarity members demonstrated when they provided the bargaining team with an overwhelming strike mandate earlier this Spring.”

About 80 per cent of those who voted were in favour of the deal. Overall, just over 90 per cent of the union voted.

The contract gives teachers a salary increase of 11.47 per cent over three years retroactive to August 1st, 2023.

“Students are at the core of our education system, a fact I truly feel is recognized by the agreement we’ve successfully negotiated with the NSTU,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education. “We’ve heard from teachers about how to improve classroom conditions and outcomes and are acting on a shared commitment to create great learning and great working environments.”

Under the new agreement, one of the key initiatives to improve student conditions will be having a dedicated school counsellor or similar position in every school.