VANCOUVER—The BC Teachers’ Federation announced today that its members have voted 91% in favour of ratifying a new four-year collective agreement with the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA).

The agreement covers 52,000 teachers and other educators like school psychologists who work across the province in the K–12 public education system.

It follows nearly one year of negotiations in which teachers raised key priorities of improving classroom conditions, strengthening mental health supports for kids, and securing fair wages to recruit and retain teachers.

“This agreement is proof of what’s possible when teachers fight for their students. We pushed for improvements to learning conditions, and this agreement includes commitments to add counsellors, learning assistance teachers, and special education resource teachers in schools across the province,” BCTF President Carole Gordon said.

“This is a modest step forward, and our students deserve so much more. Our classrooms are increasingly complex, and investment needs to keep up. We will continue to advocate for better classroom conditions and more time, resources, and support so that teachers can help every student achieve their full potential.”

Highlights of the agreement:

• a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years
• a wage bump at the lower end of the pay grid to attract new teachers to the profession and incentivize them to take contracts
• more counsellors, learning assistance teachers, and special education resource teachers to give students the support they need to succeed
• added prep time for elementary teachers
• special allowances for psychologists and Indigenous language teachers, as well as increases for teachers in identified rural and remote schools.
  

Voter turnout among BCTF members was 67%.

BCPSEA is still in the process of approving ratification among its members. Until both parties formally ratify the agreement, the current collective agreement remains in effect and the final agreement will not be released publicly.

If fully ratified, the new contract is retroactive to July 1, 2025, and remains in effect until June 30, 2029.

The BCTF thanks its members for their engagement and solidarity throughout the bargaining process and looks forward to continuing to advocate for strong public schools and a sustainable profession for educators.