An agreement boosting compensation for educators has been reached, marking the end of a long struggle between teachers, substitutes, classified educators, and district management. According to a Facebook post by the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), the victory was achieved through unified collective action, including rallies and pickets.
The benefits of the two-year agreement include a $9,000 increase for certificated educators in the first year with a 5% raise in the next. Classified educators are to earn a minimum of $30 per hour or an 8% increase (whichever is higher), rising to a 5% increase in the second year. Substitute educators will also receive an improvement in their wages by 15% over this period.
An equally significant part of this agreement is the improvement in working conditions, with an emphasis on increased student support and protection from management mishandling.
The original pay scales for classified educators were initially threatened by district management. However, UESF managed to uphold its initial structure, ensuring a reward to experience isn't undermined. The new agreement introduces restructured longevity compensation, with percentage increases starting after five years - 1% at five years, 2% at ten, 3% at 15, and 4% at 20 years.
Furthermore, the substitute educators' two-tier payment system, which has been contentious, has been replaced by a single fair rate. For example, Proposition A substitutes will now earn $80 more than the daily substitute rate.
