The union movement at New York City charter schools gained momentum with the signing of three new contracts at the end of the school year.

During the last 10 days of June, educators at a French-immersion charter school in Harlem and an elementary school in Queens both entered into their first contracts while a unionized charter school in the Bronx ratified its latest contract.

“It’s exciting to see all of these charter schools reach agreements that recognize the essential role that educators play in making schools great,” said Anne Goldman, the UFT vice president for non-Department of Education members who heads the union’s charter school organizing campaign. “These agreements represent an important marker in the growth of the unionized charter movement.”

At the New York French American Charter School in West Harlem, educators voted unanimously on June 21 to approve their first contract. It will cover the 24 teachers, assistant teachers and social workers at the bilingual elementary charter school.

The following week, 40 teachers and professional staff at University Prep Charter HS — formerly Green Dot New York — voted to renew their contract.

That same week, on June 27, the 19 teachers, associate teachers, guidance counselors and special education coordinators at Academy of the City Charter School voted unanimously to approve their first contract.

The new contracts at both the New York French American and Academy of the City charter schools include salary schedules based on education and years of experience and also establish members’ due-process rights, including the right to arbitration as the final step for grievances and terminations.

“The due-process piece is essential because it means they can’t victimize you because you’re outspoken or if they just don’t like the color of your hair,” said Diane Biondo, a 2nd-grade teacher at the Academy of the City.

At University Prep Charter HS, the new contract replaces one signed in 2009. It includes a salary increase for educators and a new evaluation system that maintains the same level of protection for all staff while adopting a new observation system for teachers, Chapter Leader Donial Rodriguez explained.