Contract 2023 FAQ: Pay increases

What are the important dates in this contract?

• Sept. 14, 2022 — The retroactive date on which the contract begins and the first 3% raise goes into effect.
• June 27, 2023 — You must be on payroll as of this date to receive the ratification bonus.
• Sept. 25, 2023 — Q-Bank employees will receive the $3,000 ratification bonus.
• Sept. 28, 2023 — H-Bank employees will receive the $3,000 ratification bonus. 
• Sept. 29, 2023 — Retro payments will be issued for both Q-Bank and H-Bank employees. 
• Jan. 18, 2024 — the date of the second 3% raise.
• Jan. 18, 2025 — the date of the third 3% raise.
• Sept. 14, 2025 — the date of the 3.25% raise.
• Sept. 14, 2026 — the date of the 3.5% raise.
• April 1 of each year — the date you must be on payroll to receive the annual retention bonus
• May 1 of each year — the date when the annual retention payment is made.
• Nov. 28, 2027 — the date this contract expires.

See dates for additional payments and increases. 

Paras asked for separate checks for per-session work. What is happening with that request?

The DOE committed to working to develop an online per-session system that would allow all employees to be able to see a breakdown of what they are being paid for and when. The DOE is also committed to looking at how employees are paid, whether in the regular paycheck or in a separate check.

Who receives the ratification bonus?

All UFT-represented employees who are on payroll as of June 27, 2023, will receive the $3,000 ratification bonus in September 2023. This includes employees who are on sabbatical, military leave with pay and parental leave on June 27. Those who resign or retire during the summer will also be receiving the ratification bonus on the same dates as active employees. Per diems do not receive the ratification bonus.

Is the 2023 ratification bonus pensionable?

Yes, it is. If the ratification bonus and the retroactive payment are paid out during your final average salary period, those payments will raise your final average salary, which is the basis for your pension.

When can I expect to receive payments being issued via supplemental check?

Whenever a DOE payment comes in the form of a supplemental check rather than as part of your regular payroll check, those payments can arrive in bank accounts later in the day or even the next day, and the time can vary depending on the bank. These payments are similar to depositing a check in the bank, which must clear first before the amount appears in your account balance.

In addition to the ratification bonus, the digital classroom setup payment at the end of October and the annual retention bonuses in May will also be paid by supplemental check and will appear in bank accounts at varying times.

Who receives the annual retention bonus each May 1?

Anyone, including per diems, who works for at least 30 days in a given school year and is on payroll as of April 1, is eligible for the retention bonus.

Is the annual retention bonus pensionable?

No, it is not. By making these payments non-pensionable, we were able to make the size of these retention bonuses bigger. No TDA or pension contributions will be taken from these bonuses either, so the take-home pay from these bonuses will be more.

Will the annual retention bonuses be taxed at a different/higher rate?

The annual retention bonuses should not be taxed at a higher rate by default, but it is possible because DOE payroll software recognizes these payments as part of your regular pay and assumes that this amount is the same that you make twice a month (or every two weeks depending on your title). You should receive this money back in your tax return when you file your taxes.

Who receives the retro money?

All DOE employees who worked from Sept. 14, 2022 to the payment date in Sept. 2023 will receive the retro payment for the raise. Retro payments for both Q-Bank and H-Bank employees will be issued on Sept. 29, 2023. 

Will we receive retro on per session?

Yes, the retro applies to all wages (including per session, per diem and regular pay) earned between Sept. 14, 2022, and the date that the money owed appears in your regular checks.

Will I receive the ratification bonus and retro pay if I am on childcare or parental leave?

Anyone who worked between September 2022 and September 2023 and is on payroll or getting paid on June 27, 2023 is eligible. Anyone on paid parental leave on June 27, 2023 is eligible for the ratification bonus because they are still being paid. However, someone on childcare leave on June 27, 2023 is not eligible for the ratification bonus because they are off payroll and not getting paid on that date.

Am I eligible for a ratification bonus or retro pay if I resign or retire?

As long as you are on payroll on June 27, 2023, you will get both.

Will per-diem/F-status employees receive the full retention bonus amount?

Per diem employees must work a minimum of 30 days to be eligible to receive an annual retention bonus payment. The amount will be pro-rated based on their work schedule.

Will we still receive the $225 per year for setting up our digital classrooms?

Yes — these annual payments are now a permanent part of the contract. Digital classrooms should be set up by Sept. 30 and payments will be issued at the end of October via supplemental check.