Photo: CTV - http://bc.ctvnews.ca

B.C. Premier Christy Clark addresses the news that a tentative 6-year agreement has been reached with the BC Teachers' Union at a news conference in downtown Vancouver, Tues., Sept. 16, 2014. (CTV))

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Vancouver, Premier Christy Clark referred to a tentative agreement with teachers as "historic". 

If ratified by teachers -- who are expected to vote on the proposed contract Thursday -- the deal would see schools reopened as early as Monday, Sept. 22.

Clark calls the agreement a 'historic six-year deal' that will allow the province five years of labour peace.

That time, she says, can now be spent on “what really matters -- improving education.”

The six-year agreement, which is rumoured to include a 7.25 per cent wage increase, would be longer than any previous contract signed by BC teachers says Clark. 

During the 15-minute press conference, Clark thanked parents and students for having patience and allowing the time needed to end the strike in a negotiated settlement.

She says a negotiated settlement was crucial in allowing the BCTF and the BC Government to reset a dysfunctional 30-year relationship.

Clark wouldn't give many specific details on the agreement, as teachers and trustees need to see it first, but said it will allow teachers a 'fair raise' that will not increase taxes or put the province in the red.