14-day New Haven teachers' strike suspended, tentative agreement reached

HAYWARD, Calif. (KTVU) - The 14-day teachers' strike at New Haven Unified School District was suspended late Friday after a tentative agreement was reached. 

Striking teachers and the school district were back at the bargaining table Friday, following two final offers from district officials on Thursday including, a three-percent raise retroactive to January and a one-time three percent salary hike next year, or a one-time 4.5% bonus this year and an ongoing 3% raise starting in July.

The union had countered with a 6% raise over two years and back pay for each day of the strike. 

In a news release sent out Friday, the New Haven Teachers Association say they have agreed to the following, contingent upon ratification by the union and school board approval: 

•  3% on schedule mid-year implementation, effective January 1, 2019, a 2.5% bonus for the 2018-2019 school year.
• 1% on schedule starting July 1, 2019, with a contingency of 1% more on the salary schedule based upon the passage of school funding legislation.
• Opportunities for retirees to earn full-year credit with 14 days of summer school or on student assessments.

Teachers could return to their classrooms as soon as Monday. 

"It is the courage and determination of NHTA members on the picket lines and the thousands of supportive parents and community members that finally resulted in this tentative contract agreement," said NHTA President Joe Ku’e Angeles. %INLINE%

In a statement from the school district, a spokesperson said, "Both teams put in almost 200 hours at the bargaining table during the strike to reach an agreement. We are thrilled that our teachers will be back with their students where they, the community, and the District want them to be."

The union's ratification vote is set for Sunday, June 9 at 12:30 p.m.