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The Philadelphia teachers union released the details of its three-year contract with the Philadelphia School District after members voted to ratify the deal late Thursday — including a one-time bonus, a 3% annual pay raise and paid parental leave.
The contract between the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Local 3 and the school district was announced Monday, the first day of school. It will go into effect Sept. 1 and continue through Aug. 31, 2028.
In addition to teachers, the 14,000-member union represents counselors, classroom assistants, nurses, psychologists, secretaries and other education professionals.
According to the PFT, 70% of its members voted for the agreement.
Arthur Steinberg, PFT’s president, said in a statement that the terms of the contract represented “truly historic wins for our members.”
Some of them include: five weeks of paid parental leave for members who are new parents, including those who adopt children; a 3% pay increase for all members in each year of the contract; a one-time, $1,400 bonus for all union members; and the elimination of a district policy that disciplined members for using sick days.
In addition, the contract reduces barriers to becoming a senior career teacher, which has the highest pay level; increases the minimum pay grade of the lowest-paid paraprofessionals and increases annual allowances for nurses, psychologists and teachers.