August 29, 2008
Teacher pay raises continue despite expired contracts
As schools open, teachers at 30 percent of New York school districts will be working under expired union contracts, but that doesn't mean teachers are going without pay raises.
Under the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law, the terms and conditions of expired contracts remain in effect. That means most teachers will continue to receive annual step raises and longevity payments. (For an explanation of the collective bargaining law, see the Empire Center report Taylor Made, available here.)
The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) reports teacher unions and 47 school districts (including BOCES districts) are at impasse, meaning one or both parties asked for PERB assistance to resolve their differences. Last year, 54 school districts were at impasse.
In addition, about 175 other school districts and teacher unions have not reached agreement, but neither side has requested PERB to intervene.
Richard Curreri, director of conciliation for PERB, says the "major sticking point" in contracts is health insurance. He suggests that wages may become a thornier issue in future disputes because of the sluggish economy.
Teacher contracts for nearly all 733 school and BOCES districts are available at www.SeeThroughNY.net. The website also features school superintendent contracts.
PERB expects to post its report on its website shortly after Labor Day.
Earlier in the week, New York State United Teachers declared the "local labor scene is positive" in a press release (here).
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