Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New Haven Teachers Secure 13.5% Pay Increase

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, the national AFL-CIO showcases one of these stories every day. Here's today's story.

Members of the New Haven (Connecticut) Federation of Teachers (NHFT), AFT Local 933, have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with city officials.

The NHFT bargaining unit covers educators who serve more than 18,000 students across 40 schools. The city's Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved the deal, which includes a 13.53% pay increase over three years, more prep days and improved health care provisions.

"This is a fair contract that will benefit all 1,175 members in the years that come," said Jenny Graves, NHFT vice president. "We also know there is a lot of work to be done. Our students shouldn’t have to learn in buildings with no heat and leaky ceilings. Our educators shouldn’t have to dig into their own pockets to fund their classrooms."