making a choice

[aStudent]

Teachers:

Could someone please be kind enough to tell me which choice should be filled into the blank of the last paragraph, "the raise" or "the races" or what else?
Thanks in advance.

Below is the URL of a related background report:
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationwo...,5337692.story


The executive board of Denver's mass transit system has unanimously approved a new contract with bus and train operators ending a week-long strike, Nancy Greenleese of member station KUNC reports from Denver.
The transit workers had balked at the first offer that spread____________out over the three-year contract. With this deal, more than 1,700 workers will make more money up front. Union spokesman Dave Minshall says the workers appreciate the extra money but wish they didn't have to go to such lengths to get it.

[Mister Micawber]

.
I presume the singular, the raise, since the preceding article states that 'under the new contract, workers will get a raise of $1.80 an hour over three years'.
.

[aStudent]

Thank you very much, Mister Micawber.