Worcester Schools, Teachers' Union Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester School Committee and the Educational Association of Worcester (EAW) reached a tentative agreement on a teachers’ contract that will be effective through 2026, according to a statement from Worcester Public Schools.

The tentative agreement appears to end months of contract talks and comes shortly after the Worcester School Committee wanted the state to appoint a mediator to settle the matter.

The tentative agreement "includes a comprehensive wage package with longevity benefits that places Worcester teacher salaries ahead of those of nearby districts and would be retroactive for the first year," according to the district's statement.

The agreement also includes incentives for teachers to further their education and professional development through tuition reimbursement and other items.

Details of the agreement will be shared with union members at an upcoming meeting.

After a union vote, the agreement will go before the School Committee for ratification. The four-year contract will be in effect retroactively from July 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2026.

“I am pleased that the Worcester Public Schools, Worcester School Committee, and EAW were able to find common ground and reach a tentative agreement for our educators,” Mayor Joseph Petty said in a statement. “Our teachers will receive a contract that reflects their tireless work and professionalism to benefit our students.”

The district has previously said that it offered wage and benefit increases equivalent to $40.5 million over four years — including wage increases of about 3 and 4 percent each year for four years.

“The EAW has long advocated for educators to be compensated in a manner that truly mirrors the complexity, challenges, and skill set needed to be effective educators in today’s climate,” EAW President Melissa Verdier said in a statement. “We have reached a place where we feel confident that our members will be satisfied with the terms of this tentative agreement.”

See related: Worcester School Committee Seeks Mediation For Teacher Contract Talks