Jun 23, 2009 10:57 AM
Update: A side agreement reached on June 25 states that the Tuesday following Labor Day will be used “first and foremost for preparation of the classroom and for the arrival of students.” If time permits, the agreement states, the remainder of the day may be used for professional development. Classes will begin for students on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Read the side agreement here.
The UFT on June 22 concluded negotiations on a tentative agreement, pending Delegate Assembly approval, that restores the traditional post-Labor Day school start for members, leaves intact the pension and health benefits of all current UFT members in active service or retired, and preserves its hard-won age 55 retirement benefit in the face of enormous political pressure to roll that back. The union has agreed to support legislation to modify pension measures for newly-hired UFT members, which will provide the city with much-needed cost savings during this severe economic downturn.
“In every respect, this agreement is a win for everyone,” said UFT President Randi Weingarten. “We are all very concerned about the heavy losses our pension system has incurred during this economic crisis and the looming cuts for schools. Not only does this deal help shore up the city budget with new savings, which will hopefully be used for schools, it also maintains the age 55 retirement benefit that we fought many years to achieve and returns us to the tradition of teachers and students starting school after Labor Day, something that our members, particularly those with families, very much wanted.”
Go here to read the Memorandum of Understanding.
As a result of the worst economic crisis in the United States since the Great Depression, public services – including public education – have been subjected to draconian budget cuts, public sector workers have been laid-off, and public sector unions have come under pressure to diminish the salaries, health benefits and pension benefits of their members.
From the start of this economic crisis, the UFT has identified two primary objectives which have guided its response to this crisis: protecting the quality of the educational services provided to New York City public school children and securing the economic livelihood and professional status of our members.
The UFT has rightly rejected efforts to raise the retirement age of New York City public school educators and otherwise reduce their pension benefits – efforts that have grown in intensity since two large state public employee unions earlier this month negotiated agreements which included such measures.
The UFT was adamant that any modifications in pension benefits for its members must be mutually supported, not imposed. Seeing an opportunity to recover the two days before Labor Day, the union negotiated a memorandum of understanding, subject to the approval of the Delegate Assembly.
The savings generated by the agreement will provide about half the funds needed to pay for the two days before Labor Day. The remainder will be addressed in the next round of contract negotiations.
The agreement’s pension provisions require state legislation, which the UFT has agreed to support.