APS Board Approves Contract With Teachers Union

Agreements with food service workers, Maintenance & Operations employees also approved.

The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education voted Wednesday to approve agreements with its teacher union and the unions representing food and nutrition services workers and maintenance and operations employees.

The agreement with the Albuquerque Teachers Federation covers more than 6,200 educators and will be in place for two school years. The contract factors in the state-mandated increase in instructional time and the four additional days added to the school calendar as a result.

“The contract that was passed last night by the APS Board of Education is the result of months of cooperative bargaining between Albuquerque Public Schools and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation," said Superintendent Scott Elder.

"While this new school year is marked with several changes for our students and staff, APS and ATF’s dedication to student outcomes and staff well-being is reflected in this contract," Elder added. "I am grateful for the ongoing support of the Board of Education as we work cooperatively between labor and management to meet the needs of our students and their families.”

Educators will earn an average of $5,000 more than last year, according to the union. Specifically, the new contract includes a 6% pay increase as well as a supervision stipend created to ensure student safety before and after school and increased stipends for athletic coaches for the first time in 25 years and special education department chairs.

APS and union officials also note that the agreement “leads the way nationally in creating contract language specific to community schools.”

The board voted 4-3 to approve the contract with board members Peggy Muller-Aragón, Courtney Jackson, and Crystal Tapia-Romero voting no. Among the concerns raised was whether the agreement would be too restrictive on APS administrators as the district pushes to improve student outcomes.

Board members voted unanimously to approve contracts with the district’s food and nutrition services workers and maintenance and operations employees.

Food workers

The Communications Workers of America Food and Nutrition Services union covers 390 employees. The agreement reached by APS and the union provides 6% raises, which is the amount authorized by state lawmakers and the governor earlier this year. The contract increases the minimum daily hours for full-time workers from 6 to 6.5. Minimum daily hours for part-time employees will increase from 3 to 3.5.

Other changes in the contract include 15 cent per hour raises for employees who complete five years of service, with 15 cent per hour raises for each additional year of service thereafter.

Maintenance and Operations employees

Close to 800 employees represented by the Communications Workers of America Maintenance and Operations union will also receive 6% pay increases under the agreement their union reached with APS. They will also see increases in the amount they receive each year for uniforms and safety shoes.

Under the contract, entry-level pay for substitute custodians will be set at $15 an hour, up from $11.03. All current substitute custodians will also see their pay increase to $15 an hour.