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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2002
PR-143-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT WITH UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

New Contract for 117,000 Members of New York City
Board of Education


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and United Federation of Teachers President (UFT) Randi Weingarten today announced a tentative settlement, subject to ratification, for a new contract for 117,000 employees of the New York City Board of Education, including 80,000 teachers. The settlement covers a 30-month period from November 16, 2000 to May 31, 2003 and is consistent with the pattern established in the record of bargaining for other City employees.

"This tentative agreement marks an historic moment for our City, our teachers and our schools," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Our teachers will receive a much deserved raise which will increase both the recruitment of new teachers and the retention of experienced teachers. These raises make our salaries competitive with our suburban counterparts and will attract a new generation of teachers to our schools. I am pleased we were able to negotiate creatively to use the pattern conforming settlement to address the concerns of all involved."

"Today New York City took a major step toward solving the teacher shortage," said UFT President Weingarten. "I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Chancellor Levy, and Labor Commissioner Jim Hanley for their tireless efforts to reach a new agreement with the City's teachers that will help ensure a qualified teacher in every classroom. I also want to thank Governor Pataki, Majority Leader Bruno and Speaker Silver for their support, their work, and the state resources that made this agreement possible."

"By providing the resources that our schools need, along the reforms necessary to make sure our children get the education they deserve, we can deliver real results for the parents and children of New York's public schools," said Governor George E. Pataki. "Teachers play a pivotal role in our children's lives, which is why I am proud that the state was able to help make sure we have the best teacher possible in every classroom."

"This week will be remembered as an historic week for education in New York City," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. "With a new contract the City will be paying teachers a more competitive salary that will enable the City to compete with the suburbs for new teachers. This will help address the critical teacher shortage. This contract agreement should clear the way for a final resolution on a new school governance plan that will bring accountability to the school system and improve the quality of education for more than a million children. I want to congratulate Randi Weingarten and Mayor Bloomberg for working diligently to reach an agreement that is fair for all sides."

"In order to ensure that the City's schoolchildren receive a top-quality education, it is essential to attract and keep the best teachers, but this is extremely difficult to do when New York City's teachers are paid significantly less than those in surrounding communities," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. "As with the additional resources in the state budget for New York City schools and the school governance reform approved by the Assembly today, the real winners with this new teachers' contract are New York City's schoolchildren. Mayor Bloomberg and Randi Weingarten are to be commended for bringing to an end a stalemate in contract negotiations of almost two years."

"The rule changes in the contract represent a major improvement in the management of the school system," said Chancellor Harold O. Levy. "Taken together with the salary increases, the Board of Education is now well positioned for positive advancement."

The terms of the agreement, which closely follow the recommendations in the Factfinders' Report issued by the Public Employment Relations Board, cover teachers, guidance counselors, school social workers, teachers' aides, school nurses and therapists. The agreement also includes innovations and enhancements in pension and health benefits negotiated with the Municipal Labor Committee, under Randi Weingarten's leadership, in May 2000 and January 2001 respectively.

The Principals of the Memorandum of Agreement include:

"I would like to personally thank UFT President Randi Weingarten and her negotiating staff, Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley and his team, Chancellor Harold Levy and the Board of Education representatives and Budget Director Mark Page and his staff for their dedication and efforts in reaching this agreements," concluded Mayor Bloomberg.

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Ed Skyler / Jordan Barowitz
(212) 788-2958