District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has reached agreements with three local union partners, including the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2921, Teamsters Local 639 and the Council of School Officers (CSO). All three unions ratified these contracts with overwhelming majorities. The D.C. Council must now approve these contracts, which, if approved, will run through 2017. Approximately 2,400 DCPS employees will receive salary increases thanks to these new contracts.
“Our work together with our union partners to provide these new benefits for our staff represent hard work, compromise and a true commitment to supporting these professionals in our schools,” said DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson. “These staff give so much every day in our schools and I’m very proud of our continued collaboration and look forward to future work together.”
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
The new AFSCME contract, which will affect the nearly 1,300 employees represented by AFSCME Local 2921, will offer members a three percent raise each year for four years, more investment in health care and new support to defray the costs of transportation, among other benefits. AFSCME members include most classroom aide and front office positions. This new contract was ratified by AFSCME members with a vote of 490 to 9.
“This contract has been a long time coming, this process has been both challenging and disconcerting at times but thank God we stayed the course,” said Michael J. Flood, President of AFSCME Local 2921. “I would like to personally salute and congratulate all of our members for all that they do for our children, DCPS and our city as a whole.”
“We know how hard all of our school employees work every day for our students and our families. Our classroom aides and front office staff make our schools run. I am so proud that this contract was ratified with such enthusiasm by AFSCME members and that we can provide these new benefits” said Chancellor Henderson. “This is another sign of DCPS’ commitment to our employees, as well as a clear indication of our support and belief in working together with our union partners.”
Members will receive a three percent raise, retroactive to October 1, 2013, and three percent raises every year effective October 1 for the upcoming years throughout the length of the contract. The new contract provides members with transportation and legal services benefits for the first time. DCPS will provide members with a Metro pass each month to help with commuting costs. DCPS also agreed to contribute to a pre-paid legal services plan contracted for by AFSCME, which also begins in October. DCPS and AFSCME also negotiated an increase in the amount of money DCPS contributes toward pre-existing dental and vision plans. DCPS will now contribute more towards vision and dental benefits for single members and families.
Teamsters
Teamsters and DCPS reached a tentative agreement on a new contract covering compensation and working conditions for the nearly 500 custodial workers and attendance counselors represented by Teamsters Local 639. This new contract was ratified by members of the Teamsters union on May 30, 2014 by a vote of 114 to 2. The new contract must now go before the DC Council for final approval before being implemented.
If approved, under the new contract, members will receive a three percent raise, retroactive to October 1, 2013, and three percent raises every year effective October 1 for the upcoming years throughout the length of the contract. For the first time, the contract includes a Sick Leave Incentive Program to encourage the responsible use of sick leave. Additionally, under the agreement, DCPS will contribute to a home purchasing program that provides qualifying members financial assistance in buying homes in the District. Under the contract, DCPS has also committed to train school leaders on the union contract and to offer yearly training on custodial duties, particularly to those who are having performance problems.
“We are proud of the labor contract reached with the District of Columbia Public Schools for our Maintenance Workers and Attendance Counselors,” said Mr. Tommy Ratliff, President, Teamsters Local 639. “I wish to thank Chancellor Kaya Henderson, Chief Jason Kamras, Director Erin Pitts and the D.C. Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining for their efforts and hard work in reaching an equitable agreement with Local 639 in a timely manner. This Agreement demonstrates Management and the Union working together for members who have not received a wage increase since 2008. It is a well spent investment on individuals who have a huge daily impact on each and every child in the D.C. Public School system”.
“Teamster members in our schools, including custodial workers and attendance counselors, are vital to our school operations. Our custodial workers keep our schools clean, safe and running. Especially in our modernized schools, we ask so much of them and they always step up to help, often very early in the morning or during long hours after the school day is over,” said Henderson. “Attendance counselors help keep track of our students and have close relationships with parents and families to ensure our students know the importance of being in school every single day. Teamsters are a big part of any school team and I’m so glad we were able to come together for this new contract.”
Council of School Officers (CSO)
The new contract for the Council of School Officers, which represents more than 600 principals, assistant principals, related service providers, master educators, directors, business managers, other school officers and administrative staff, was ratified on May 30 by a vote of 85-2.
If approved, the new contract will provide for salary increases for all members of the union. Related Service Providers (RSP), such as social workers, speech and language pathologists, and psychologists, will receive the most significant salary increases in order to provide parity in compensation with the RSPs represented by the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). With this contract, DCPS has agreed to pay RSPs in the CSO according to the pay scale negotiated by the WTU for the RSPs in their union, to achieve parity of pay, retroactive to October 2013.
Principals, assistant principals, and master educators will receive a two percent raise, retroactive to October 1, 2013. All members of the CSO will receive a three percent raise each year for the life of the contract. DCPS and CSO also negotiated an increase in the amount of money DCPS contributes toward pre-existing dental and vision benefit plans. DCPS will now contribute more towards vision and dental benefits for single members and families.
DCPS has also agreed to allow principals greater input in matters of school safety. DCPS and CSO will establish a joint task force to address security force staffing, including security force deployment and scheduling. The task force will convene at least twice each school year to address concerns regarding the sufficiency of security staffing. In addition, CSO members will be offered training on de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to violent or dangerous situations to further improve employee and student safety.
"We are excited to have reached a contract between the Council of School Officers and DCPS. The contract exemplifies the hard work and collaboration between both sides that will help make conditions better for all concerned,” said Aona H. Jefferson, President of the CSO. “Our school leaders and members are the most dedicated workers who diligently and tirelessly serve all the students of the District of Columbia Public Schools."
“Our school leaders and others represented by the CSO help make our schools the exciting, fun, and engaging places where families are proud to send their students,” said Henderson. “This new contract is a step in the right direction and reflects significant hard work, commitment and energy by both sides to provide these much-deserved raises and additional benefits.”
Contact: Melissa Salmanowitz (DCPS) | 202-535-1096 | Contact Email