No Pittsburgh Schools Strike, But What's In New Teachers' Pact?

PITTSBURGH, PA - Lost in the glow of the tentative contract agreement that narrowly averted a Pittsburgh Public Schools’ teachers strike are any details on the pact and what it means for taxpayers.

The only specific revealed after a marathon negotiating session warded off a strike the teachers’ union had scheduled for Friday: the agreement for 2,400 teachers, 565 paraprofessionals and 20 technical clerical employees is for three years. Further details won’t be disclosed until the pact is ratified by the teachers and city school directors.

Instead of offering details, district and union officials struck a congratulatory tone over avoiding a strike that would have impacted 24,000 students.

“I want to commend everyone involved in these long months of negotiations for their due diligence and tireless efforts to reach an agreement that works for everybody our outstanding
teachers and staff, our dedicated principals, and most importantly, our students,” Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said in a statement.

Our sincerest thanks to our members who have stood together during the past 19 months of arduous negotiations and for the community’s support in fighting for our students,” Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers president Nina Esposito Visgitis said.

When the union notified the district of its intent to strike on Monday, the district said there was only one issue impeding an agreement: the ability of school principals to have final say over teacher class schedules and teacher assignments.

Espositio Visgitis disputed that assertion. She contended issues such as salary, health care, early childhood teacher compensation, transfers and athletic coaches remained on the table.

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