After nine bargaining sessions and time in mediation with the district, the North Attleboro Federation of Teachers secured a new contract for the 350+ members it represents in the North Attleboro public schools. The three-year contract includes big wins on wages, stipends, sick leave, and longevity that add up to the best contract in a generation of NAFT teachers.
“For me, the most important thing I have seen throughout this process has been a dramatic increase in member engagement. I have the utmost respect and admiration for our members who spoke at both our rally and to the school committee. Their stories helped to personalize what can be a very impersonal process,” said NAFT President Bob Collins. “The newfound energy and unity have inspired me and so many others to continue working to ensure that all of our members have the opportunity to enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling career as educators in North Attleboro.”
To ensure the needs and concerns of members across the district would be properly addressed, the NAFT held meetings at every school before negotiations began to hear directly from its members about their priorities. The set of proposals they presented to the District in May was built off of the feedback they received during these meetings. Leadership also solicited first-person testimony from members, which it shared at the bargaining table during negotiations to not only show the district the human impact of these proposals, but to ensure members knew their concerns and stories were being brought directly to the district.
Highlights from NAFT’s new three-year contract include:
- Long-overdue reform to stipends for after school programs and sports, which had not been adjusted in decades;
- Pay increases each year of the contract (3% in the first year, 2.75% in the second year, and 2.5% in the third year);
- Allowing the option for teachers to buy-back sick leave upon retirement; and
- Longevity increases.
One of the proposals the union fought hard for from the start of negotiations was expanding the number of days a teacher can use their sick leave days to care for a family member from four to 20. This 500% increase will be transformative for members who have been forced to make impossible decisions while navigating care for sick family members and will be critical to retaining talented educators in the district.
Parents and community members stood with NAFT members throughout the process. Lawn signs in support of the teachers were proudly displayed outside of homes throughout town. School committee meetings and NAFT rallies included parents and residents donning t-shirts and buttons in support of the union’s work during this prolonged period of negotiations. NAFT’s work to build relationships with and engage the community showed the District that voters stood with the union.
This isn’t the first time NAFT has collaborated with the community in support of the public schools and the students they serve. In 2018, NAFT joined community leaders, concerned residents, and other local unions on a ballot question campaign that generated $6.5 million in new revenue for the town. The successful campaign prevented the closure of an elementary school in the community and resulted in an additional $2.67 million annually for the North Attleborough Public Schools. Another $1 million went to supporting one-time school investments like technology and curriculum upgrades.
This year’s bargaining was the first time the NAFT extended invitations to all its members interested in participating in bargaining sessions as silent representatives. Each session included a strong showing of silent reps, with over 100 members turning out for the final bargaining session in early November.
“I am so grateful for the work of our bargaining team,” said Nadine Fowler, a special education teacher at North Attleborough Middle School who attended sessions as a silent representative. “Their time, collaborative focus, and transparency with all members helped move us forwards towards reaching the best possible agreement for our new contract.”
“It was amazing seeing so much of our membership involved in this contract fight,” said NAFT Secretary and eighth grade science teacher Chelsea Gendron. “We had a level of transparency and energy from our members that definitely made a difference in our gains with salary, family sick time, reduced meetings, and so much more.