A tentative agreement was reached Friday between teachers and the New Haven Unified School District to end a strike in Union City that has lasted 14 days, both sides said.
As of about 8 p.m., the two sides had announced the agreement and said teachers could return to their classrooms as early as Monday if they ratify the pact.
The pact gives unionized teachers roughly a 1.5% salary increase and a 2.5% bonus this school year. Next year, teachers will get a 3% salary increase, John Mattos, the school district's spokesman said.
Teachers could get another 1% pay increase if school district revenue is higher than expected, Mattos said.
Both sides said teachers who are set to retire have the option of earning credit for teaching the entire year.
Mattos said, "We're really happy with the agreement."
Mattos said the school board also has to approve it, but teachers could be back in school Monday ahead of a school board decision.
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Next week is the last week of the school year.
Officials with the union, the New Haven Teachers Association, said they also are pleased with the agreement.
Joe Ku'e Angeles, president of the teachers' union said in a statement, "It is the courage and determination of NHTA members on the picket lines and the thousands of supportive parents and community members that finally resulted in this tentative contract agreement."
Union members are scheduled to meet and vote on the agreement early Sunday afternoon. Union officials said members must be present to vote. Both sides spent almost 200 hours bargaining, according to district officials.
The pending agreement is expected to cost the school district $10.5 million over three years.
Below is the release provided by NHUSD:
"The agreement will give NHTA members a 3% on-the-schedule pay increase effective January 1, 2019. This is an effective 1.5% increase for this 18/19 school year and a 3% increase moving forward in 19/20. Teachers will also receive a one-time, off-the-schedule pay increase of 2.5% for 18/19. For 2019/20, members will receive an additional 1% on-the-schedule pay increase effective July 1, 2019.
Contingency language was also included that could add up to an additional 1% on-the-schedule salary increase should district revenues come in higher than projected in 19/20.
Finally, language was added that would allow teachers who were set to retire at the end of this school year to perform additional duties during the summer in order to earn a full year of service credit towards retirement.
Both teams put in almost 200 hours at the bargaining table during the strike to reach an agreement. We are thrilled that our teachers will be back with their students where they, the community, and the District want them to be.
Teachers will be back in their classrooms Monday, June 10, in time for the last week of school, pending ratification."
