WORCESTER – Thursday, May 11, 2023 – This afternoon, the Worcester School Committee and the Educational Association of Worcester (EAW) reached a tentative agreement on a teachers’ contract through August 31, 2026.
The tentative agreement includes a comprehensive wage package with longevity benefits that places Worcester teacher salaries ahead of those of nearby districts and would be retroactive for the first year. It also includes incentives for teachers to further their education and professional development through tuition reimbursement and other items.
Details of the tentative agreement will be shared with EAW members at an upcoming meeting. Following the union vote, it will go before the School Committee for a ratification vote at an upcoming meeting. The four-year contract is in effect retroactively from July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2026.
“I am pleased that the Worcester Public Schools, Worcester School Committee, and EAW were able to find common ground and reach a tentative agreement for our educators,” said Mayor Joseph Petty. “Our teachers will receive a contract that reflects their tireless work and professionalism to benefit our students.”
“The EAW has long advocated for educators to be compensated in a manner that truly mirrors the complexity, challenges, and skill set needed to be effective educators in today’s climate,” said EAW President Melissa Verdier. “We have reached a place where we feel confident that our members will be satisfied with the terms of this tentative agreement.”