Washington Teachers’ Union Reaches Tentative Contract Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Washington Teachers’ Union and the District of Columbia Public Schools reached a tentative five-year contract agreement today that will provide improved working conditions, which educators have said they needed for a better, more respectful environment.

“The highlights of the contract include fair and good pay raises, but maybe more importantly, educators will be able to work under better working conditions that should go a long way to improving recruitment and retention problems that have plagued the district,” said WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons.

Pogue Lyons said the WTU will be meeting with members this week and next to explain the tentative agreement in detail and will not be commenting on the specifics in public until the members have reviewed the TA and voted on it, which will take place in the next few weeks.

“The bargaining team heard from members about the need for improved working conditions. We took that to heart and were able to secure many provisions that show respect to educators, such as breaks to prevent teacher and student burnout, time to prepare and plan lessons, and fair workloads,” Pogue Lyons said. “The team also pushed hard and obtained decent and fair pay raises over the course of the five-year contract, despite the district’s contention that it was working in a tight financial environment.”

AFT President Randi Weingarten characterized the tentative agreement as a real accomplishment.

“Educators deserve this and so much more. The WTU and its bargaining team were sick and tired of long-delayed contracts, and they fought hard for this agreement despite tight fiscal times and political uncertainty. The team obtained solid pay raises and very significant provisions to improve working conditions. Teachers need the time, support and resources to do their jobs well and help their students excel. This tentative agreement goes a long way to achieving that,” Weingarten said.