Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 31/01) - Yellowknife Catholic school teachers voted Thursday to accept a new two-year collective agreement.

The deal gives teachers a three per cent raise this year and a two-and-a-half per cent increase next year.

Sixty-seven per cent of teachers voted in favour of the agreement. Ninety-nine per cent of eligible voters cast ballots.

The agreement also includes a one-year extension on the number of years teachers are eligible for increases based on experience.

Teachers used to get an increase for every year of experience up to ten years. With this contract, they will receive an increase for the additional year as well.

However, teachers are calling the extension a "half step" because in the eleventh they only get about half the money.

"I think it was about as fair a contract as could be reached at this time," said Kris Ballard regional president of Yellowknife Catholic Schools NWTTA.

The wage increases were not considered in the 2001- 2002 budget. But Kern Von Hagen, superintendent of the Catholic School Board said projected budget surplus will not decrease.

The board expects to have a total accumulated surplus of $658,000 in the bank by the end of 2002.

Collective agreement:

- The board now covers entire cost of health care premiums.

- Money allotted for professional development upped from $15,000 to $45,000.

- Teachers will receive 85 per cent of pay while on a 16-week parental leave.

- Half of teacher's school lunch period will be guaranteed duty free.

- $50 increase in annual airfare allowance.