Peabody teachers ink contract deal

PEABODY-The days of working under an expired contract are over for Peabody teachers and retroactive pay is on the way, said Peabody Federation of Teachers President Bruce Nelson. The highly anticipated teacher?s contract has been signed by both parties and will go into effect hopefully before the start of the New Year.?I am relieved,” said Nelson. “To our point of view, it was long overdue.”The School Committee members first approved of the contract Tuesday night after much deliberation. It was then up to Mayor Michael Bonfanti, who signed the agreement Thursday morning.?I put my signature next to the Mayor?s this morning,” said a pleased Nelson Friday afternoon.It was quite the lengthy battle to reach an agreement, taking nearly two years to complete. After the contract was finally ratified during the wee hours of the morning on Oct. 29, misunderstandings and conflicting schedules delayed the process an additional six weeks.By that point, teachers were at their wits end. Feeling they could no longer stand by and wait patiently, they organized demonstrations across the city, expressing their discontent with the slow moving pace. They organized rallies, picketed outside of City Hall, and most recently, marched silently during a School Committee meeting.?The teachers are very glad that we?ve finally gotten it settled,” said Nelson. “There isn?t this angst out there about what might happen.”There were two contracts signed, one of which involved retroactive pay for the 2007-2008 school year. Teachers should see their 2 percent salary increase within the next two weeks. Nelson said he encourages teachers to pay close attention to their paychecks and make sure the change is reflected.The second contract reflects the 2008-2011 period. Teachers will receive a 4 percent salary increase for 2008-2009, and a 3 percent increase for both the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. The longevity scales will increase by $100, $200, and $500.Teachers will also receive reimbursement for their primary recertifications, which occur every five years. Tuition reimbursement is also now in the contract and available resources has doubled to $20,000.In terms of health care, union members will now see an 85/15 healthcare split, which will start on Jan. 1, 2009, said Nelson. Co-pays will also increase beginning in July.