Teachers Ratify Contract in Close Vote

UNION CITY, CA — A three-week strike by Union City teachers is officially over. Members of the New Haven Teachers Association voted Sunday afternoon to ratify a contract hammered out between the district and teachers union. The vote was 60 percent to 40 percent in favor of ratification. Teachers will return to the classroom on Monday.

"We are happy that all of the New Haven community will be able to participate in our students’ end of the year activities and celebrations," the union said in a statement released following the vote.

According to a message from the school district Friday night when pact was reached, "The agreement will give NHTA members a 3 percent on-the-schedule pay increase effective January 1, 2019. This is an effective 1.5 percent increase for this 18/19 school year and a 3 percent increase moving forward in 19/20. Teachers will also receive a one-time, off-the-schedule pay increase of 2.5 percent for 18/19. For 2019/20, members will receive an additional 1 percent on-the-schedule pay increase effective July 1, 2019."

If the district receives additional funding, the agreement calls for extra pay for the teachers, up to an additional 1 percent.

While teachers will not receive pay for the three weeks of the strike, teachers who are scheduled to retire at the end of this school year will be allowed to perform extra duties during the summer in order to earn a full year of service credit for retirement.

The two sides spent 200 hours at the bargaining table during the strike, which began on Monday, May 20.

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