The Catholic school teachers have voted to approve the new contract, sealing a three-year deal giving teachers $1,300 in the first year, $1,400 in the second year and $1,600 in the third.
John Ameran, a teacher at Archbishop Ryan High School tells Action News, "It wasn't about money. None of us are in the system to make money. We choose to teach in a system because we believe in faith, we believe in Christian values, and we can teach. Our counterparts I don't think always have that ability, to be able to teach in a way that you're able to perform your job without high stress levels."
The 711 teachers present at today's vote overwhelmingly approved the tentative deal agreed to on Sunday.
Teachers went on strike Sept. 6, citing issues including sick leave and the use of part-time instructors. Administrators said the teachers were resisting attempts to modernize the schools.
Classes were held during the first days of the strike, with about 16,500 students attending orientation activities. But the archdiocese canceled school starting last Wednesday as the work stoppage continued.
The deal means 17 Catholic high schools in the Philadelphia area will reopen Tuesday after being closed for four days.
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Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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