The Fall River Educators’ Association and the school committee have tentatively agreed on a new three-year contract for city teachers.
The deal was reached following a negotiating session held last Friday afternoon.
Teachers have been working since August without a deal, seeking what they called a correction in salary to make them competitive with teachers in communities in the region and similar-sized gateway cities.
Under the tentative agreement, the teachers received a wage increase based on seniority…Those on lower pay grades will receive an increase of seven (7) percent this year and five (5) percent in years two and three. Teachers with more seniority will receive an eight (8) percent pay raise this year, six (6) percent in year two, and five (5) percent for the first half of 2027 with another one (1) percent bump in the year’s second half.
Mayor Paul Coogan, who with school committee member Mimi Larrivee attended the final two bargaining sessions last week, says the tentative agreement benefits the city and teachers.
Along with the salary increases the union also received concessions improving paid parental leave for members.
The FREA will put the tentative agreement before its members for a vote after the new year. The school committee will then vote to ratify the contract.
The FREA is still bargaining with the city on contracts for therapy assistance and school administrative managers. Mr Michon is hopeful tentative agreements for those bargaining units will be finalized after the new year.
