The UFT Collective Bargaining Agreement: What You Need to Know
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) is a labor union that represents public school teachers in New York City. The UFT works to negotiate contracts and salary increases, advocate for members` rights, and improve working conditions for teachers.
One of the most important documents that the UFT negotiates with the New York City Department of Education is the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The CBA is a legally binding agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for UFT members.
Here are some key points to understand about the UFT CBA:
1. Length of the agreement: The UFT CBA is typically negotiated for a period of three to four years. The most recent agreement, which was negotiated in 2018, covers the period from 2019 to 2022.
2. Salary increases: The UFT negotiates salary increases for its members as part of the CBA. The most recent agreement includes salary increases of 2%, 2.5%, and 3% over the three-year period.
3. Paid leave: The UFT CBA includes provisions for paid leave, including sick leave, personal leave, and bereavement leave. The agreement also includes a provision for child care leave, which allows UFT members to take up to four weeks of unpaid leave to care for a child.
4. Teacher evaluations: The UFT CBA includes provisions for teacher evaluations. Under the agreement, teachers are evaluated based on a combination of observations and student performance metrics. The agreement also includes a system for appealing evaluation ratings.
5. Working conditions: The UFT negotiates working conditions for its members as part of the CBA. This includes provisions for class size, workload, and safety conditions in schools.
6. Grievance procedure: The UFT CBA includes a grievance procedure, which allows UFT members to file complaints about alleged violations of the agreement. The procedure includes a series of steps, culminating in arbitration if necessary.
In conclusion, the UFT collective bargaining agreement is a critical document that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for public school teachers in New York City. The agreement covers everything from salary increases to working conditions to teacher evaluations, and it is negotiated every few years between the UFT and the New York City Department of Education. Understanding the provisions of the agreement is key for UFT members, as it governs their employment rights and obligations.
