STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- City teachers, principals, and school employees represented by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Council of Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) should begin to see fatter paychecks -- if they haven't already -- as the schedule of wage increases and retroactive pay agreed upon in their new contracts with the city start to kick...
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- City teachers, principals, and school employees represented by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Council of Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) should begin to see fatter paychecks -- if they haven't already -- as the schedule of wage increases and retroactive pay agreed upon in their new contracts with the city start to kick in.
Closer to home, for teachers and other school employees and their families, union officials said the raises could mean an opportunity to plan a long-put-off vacation, pay off bills and expenses, put a down-payment on a new car, or start-up a home-improvement project.
The UFT signed off on a new contract in June. The nine-year contract, which applies retroactively to late 2009, gave union members a $1,000 signing-bonus, which was paid to teachers on the active payroll in the fall.
Come May, teachers should begin to see 3 percent more in their checks as a result of their contract. That should be followed by 3.5 percent more in May 2016, and 4.5 percent more in May 2017, according to union figures.
UNION MEMBERS 'EXCITED'
"Our members are very excited they're finally getting a raise," said Debra Penny, Staten Island borough representative to the UFT. She said the raise "will mean different things" to members, many with children and families, "who haven't seen a contract since 2009."
"Our members have gone a long time without getting the proper respect and pay ... This comes at a time where our governor is now attacking public education, so certainly a pay increase will put a smile on their face," she said.
The UFT represents 7,800 Islanders, including teachers, para-professionals, school nurses, secretaries, and retirees.
Principals, assistant principals and other supervisors and administrators will also see similar raises in their paychecks.
SIGNING BONUS
Their union, the Council of Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), ratified a contract agreement with the city in December. The union sought a deal similar to the UFT that provides salary increases and retroactive pay. Members were also paid a $1,000 signing bonus when the contract was approved.
Some members have already begun to see more money in their paycheck, coming from a salary increase, plus retroactive wages being paid in increments.
Like the teachers, the raises will continue each year of the contract through 2018.
"The payout schedule is a bit complicated and varies for different members, but it's always a good thing, good news for our members, who will be taking home more in their paycheck and be recognized for the work they do in educating our children," said Anne Silverstein, director of communications for the CSA.
She said a schedule and contract information for members is available on the union website.
The union represents more than 6,000 Department of Education employees citywide.