DETROIT (AFX) - The city's teachers, who last month returned to their classrooms after a 16-day strike, have voted by a 3-to-1 ratio to approve a three-year contract that includes eventual raises.
The contract was ratified 5,401 to 1,714, the Detroit Federation of Teachers said on its Web site after ballots were counted Friday. The union has more than 9,000 members.
The contract offers no salary increase in its first year, a 1 percent raise in its second and a 2.5 percent raise in its third year ending June 30, 2009, the union said.
The walkout began Aug. 28 after teachers rejected a contract offer from the Detroit Public Schools that would have cut their pay by 5.5 percent over two years. Classes had been scheduled to start Sept. 5.
Classes resumed Sept. 14 after teachers agreed to return to work and consider a tentative contract deal.
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