UFT, Green Dot Schools Reach Labor Agreement

by Domenic Giandomenico
 
Earlier this week, the United Federation of Teachers and the Green Dot Public Schools, one of the nation’s leading charter school organizations, reached a labor agreement. Terms of the agreement include an untimed "professional day", which requires that teachers be on-site during the student day, staff meetings, professional development, and preparation time.  In return, teachers receive a 14% pay premium over other public schools in New York City.

The agreement is notable for how it places value on the voice of the teacher. It has long been argued that charter schools are nothing more than a "union breaker" or a way to get around existing teacher contracts. This agreement should send a signal across the nation that charter schools and unions can co-exist. Simply by starting from scratch without an antiquated labor agreement, Green Dot Public Schools and UFT were able to reach an agreement that met the needs of each side while still giving Green Dot Public Schools the ability to recruit and maintain a high quality team of educators.