N.B. teachers ratify 4-year, 14.5% wage deal

New Brunswick's 7,500 teachers have ratified a four-year contract with the provincial government giving them a 14.5 per cent pay increase.

Human Resources Minister Rick Brewer confirmed on Friday the contract agreed to by both sides on Oct. 27 has been ratified.

"While the global economic situation has changed significantly since we came to this agreement, we believe it respects the contribution teachers make to our province," Brewer said in a statement.

He also said that it was a good sign that the two sides were able to come to a deal without seeking an outside negotiator.

The four-year contract ends in 2012 and provides a total 14.5 per cent wage increase. As well, the provincial government and New Brunswick Teachers Federation will also strike a joint committee to explore alternatives to the current model of allocating teachers, and to address teacher workload.

Brent Shaw, the co-president of the New Brunswick Teachers Federation, said 91.7 per cent of teachers supported the agreement.

Shaw said the four-year contract will go a long way in bringing the salaries of New Brunswick teachers in line with their Atlantic Canadian counterparts.

"I think [the contract] is quite significant, mainly because of the economy being where it is," Shaw said. "We have made some gains on the salary side. It will cover costs of living."