Saskatchewan teachers sanctioned strike action in a vote held last week, but also took the high road in opting not to strike in June.

Ninety-one per cent of the 12,466 teachers who voted gave the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation (STF) the mandate to take whatever job action is required to bring about an agreement with the provincial government and school boards.

STF president Doug Willard said the strength of the mandate speaks for itself - and should make an impression about the seriousness of teachers in demanding an increase in salary. Because the teachers don't wish to disrupt the school system, sanctions will not be imposed prior to the end of June.

"I think for children's sake, it's a good thing," said Jan Chell, director of education for Weyburn Composite and Weyburn Public School Division No. 97. "Certainly at this time of year, there was some anxiety about what would happen with exams, especially for Grade 12 students who are going on and whose marks are critical. It was a relief to hear teachers opted not to strike in June.

"The other good news is it gives time to resolve differences over the summer. I hope it will be resolved before the next school year as any kind of job action affects the children. The primary objective is that children are getting their education in a safe environment. The best way to do this is to have students in school with teachers."

Tanya Cameron of the Weyburn Teacher's Association believes teachers are satisfied with the results of the STF vote.

"I think most teachers are happy not to have to strike at this time of the year," she said. "It looks better for us as professionals to not take job action until September if no agreement is reached. If nothing is reached when we return in the fall, we'll start out by giving up all volunteer time. If there is still no resolution, there will be a strike. We're hoping that everything is resolved over the next couple of months."

Al Boutin, director of education for Weyburn Central School Division and Weyburn Roman Catholic Separate School Division, also hopes for a timely resolution of the issue.

"I guess our hope is that over the summer, the government and STF can reach a settlement that's fair and that both sides are happy with," said Boutin. "The one concern we have is that any new money needed by a contract settlement would have to come from the government. School divisions have set their mill rates and budgets and there is no more money this year."

Teachers are demanding wage increases to put Saskatchewan closer to the wages demanded in Manitoba and Alberta. A tentative collective agreement with the province was rejected on May 25 by 56 per cent of teachers voting about its ratification.