School District 43 school support workers have voted in favour of a wage deal giving them a 3.5% increase between July 1, 2013 and May 1, 2014.
In a ratification vote taken Thursday, 84% of members voted in favour of the settlement, which also provides them with a drug card that allows members have medication benefits paid up front, without the need to submit receipts for medication.
The deal, reached under the province's co-operative gains mandate, means the district will have to find savings - estimated at about $985,000 this school year and $1.7 million next year - to cover the cost.
In October, the district approved a savings plan that would cut transportation costs, supplies, utilities special purpose funds and non-core salaries.
This is the first wage increase for the CUPE members in four years.
