State Panel Calls for Teacher Pay Raise and Longer Day
A fact-finding panel appointed by the New York State Public Employment Relations Board released its report yesterday on its recommendations for a settlement in the 16 month old contract negotiations between New York City and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) (see WIT for April 2, 2002). The proposal calls for a fifteen percent raise in pay over twenty-seven months, a twenty minute increase in the working day for NYC teachers, and the formation of a committee to look into possible solutions to the bitter disputes between the city and teachers over merit pay. Both sides have indicated that the report represents a reasonable foundation for a settlement of the deadlocked negotiations, but UFT officials are still concerned that attempts by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to abolish the Board of Education and assume direct control over the city's schools may interfere with bargaining.
See "State Panel Calls for Teacher Pay Raise and Longer Day", STEVEN GREENHOUSE, The New York Times, April 9, 2002