Three years of back pay provided in the new contract for D.C. Public Schools teachers would not be available for those who recently retired, though their colleagues fired in the fall can expect a check.
If the teacher-approved contract passes the D.C. City Council next week as expected, about 4,300 teachers this summer would receive more than 11 percent of their most recent salary to make up for three years without a pay raise. In addition, nearly 300 teachers let go in November as part of a contentious round of firings would receive a check for closer to 7 percent of their most recent salary. Teachers who retired or left the system for other reasons in the past three years would receive nothing.
Jacqueline Schuler, who retired in 2008, called the provision unfair at a Monday council hearing.
“The contract should not be ratified until provisions have been made to compensate teachers who retired during the contract process,” she said.
Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee defended the decision, saying it allowed for more competitive raises for teachers still in the classroom.
Contract negotiations “are a lot about determining priorities and where you’re going to push and pull,” Rhee said. “There were limited resources.”
Between 500 and 600 employees leave the system each year for a variety of reasons, including retirement, Rhee said. Past contracts have included back pay for retirees but not out of any legal obligation to do so, she said.
Teachers union President George Parker took heat for the provision but chalked it up to a tough negotiating process that resulted in plenty of wins for teachers and a handful of losses.
“We tried hard to get [the back pay] for retirees,” he said, adding he hopes the council would find money where DCPS did not.
Retirees were not eligible to vote on the contract, which was passed earlier this month. With about half of the teachers voting, it was approved by a nearly 3-1 margin.
Council members balked at the retiree dilemma but signaled they would move forward with the five-year, $1.4 billion contract.
“We have no choice but to approve this contract,” said Marion Barry, D-Ward 8. “We’re locked into it.”
