Teachers in the province have voted to accept the tentative collective agreement reached with the provincial government and school boards association.

The NLTA’s provincial executive has recommended membership accept the deal.

It includes a two per cent wage increase each year for four years until 2026, recruitment and retention incentives for teachers in rural and remote regions of the province; and modernization of the definitions of harassment and discrimination.

There’s also a recognition bonus and additional day for report card preparation, limits on the scheduling and duration of meetings, and easier access to accrued sick leave for substitute teachers.

NLTA president Trent Langdon called the deal an important step forward in addressing challenges in the retention and recruitment of teachers in this province.

In a statement, the provincial government called it “a fair and responsible agreement that reflects both the value we place on our educators throughout the province and the goals and objectives of improving student outcomes as we integrate the education system into the government.