December 14, 2022 - The Washington Post reported on WTU's approval of the tentative contract agreement with DCPS. They covered the fact that the new agreement will secure raises and other benefits for 5,500 public school teachers. The group reached a tentative agreement with the city in late November, which came after more than three years without a labor contract. Members voted on the measure Tuesday night and overwhelmingly supported it — 3,445 members approved and 29 teachers opposed, according to union officials.
US Secretary Visits DC School Awarded Grant
News4’s Juliana Valencia reported on U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona's visit to Turner Elementary School, a recipient of the Full-Service Community Schools grant program.
Watch the full news story here.
DC elementary students celebrate 19-years of reading 'I Have a Dream' MLK speech
Washington, D.C. (7News) — Watkins Elementary School students marked a 19-year-old tradition on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Friday afternoon to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The students recited MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech at the very spot where he stood in 1963.
Read the full story here.
DC teachers’ union ratifies new contract with overwhelming support
December 14th, 2022 - WTOP News reported on the overwhelming approval of the new contract by union members by a vote of 3,445 to 29. They highlight the new 12% retroactive raise for the past three years, when teachers worked under an expired contract, and for the current school year, plus a 4% retention bonus for every teacher.
Highlights from the contract lists nine items Union members will receive:
- Salary increases are 2%, 2.5%, 3.5% and 4% for each year, respectively, starting in 2019, totaling 12%, plus interest and an additional 4% “signing” bonus for every teacher.
- Administrative premium, for overtime, increases 50% to $60 an hour.
- Starting salary goes from $56,313 to just over $63,373. The top salary (for teachers with more than 21 years of service and at least a master’s degree) goes from $116,408 to around $131,000.
- Beginning teachers will receive a $7,060 increase, and teachers at the top salary step will receive a $14,595 boost.
To learn more, read the Full story here.
D.C. teachers union approves labor contract, securing raises The agreement includes raises, stipends and more planning time for teachers
The Washington Post: D.C. reaches long-awaited deal with teachers union
After more than three years with out a contract, the District has reached a tentative agreement with its teachers union that would give the educators a retroactive raise and a salary hike for next year, officials announced Wednesday. Read the Full Story Here.
DCist News Reports: After Three-Year Impasse, D.C. Public Schools Reach Tentative Agreement With Teachers’ Union
After more than three years of stalled negotiations, D.C. Public Schools have reached a tentative contract agreement with the Washington Teachers’ Union, according to a statement from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday.
“Today, we are proud to reach an agreement that delivers robust back pay in recognition of the tireless efforts and sacrifice our teachers have made over the past three years,” reads Bowser’s statement on the agreement, which spells out a 12 percent increase in salary over four years, and a four percent retention bonus. “This agreement provides our educators with competitive raises that will help the District to retain and attract the best talent for our schools.”
Fox News: DC Public Schools reaches tentative agreement with teachers' union
Fox News reported on tweets released by the WTU and published the joint statement signed by Mayor Bowser, DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, and WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons on Tuesday. Read the full story here.