Res. No. 1176 Title Resolution calling upon the New York City Board of Education to immediately commence negotiations with the United Federation of Teachers and to raise New York City teachers' salaries to levels comparable with suburban teachers' salaries. Body By Council Members Dear, Malave-Dilan, Espada, Lopez, Marshall, Nelson; also Council Members Boyland, Harrison, Michels, Povman, Rodriguez and Warden. Whereas, New York City public schools are facing an imminent teacher shortage crisis as a result of mass retirement coupled with a dearth of qualified incoming teachers; and Whereas, More than 14,000 of the 21,000 teachers eligible to retire within the next year are seriously considering doing so according to a United Federation of Teachers survey conducted in the Fall of 1999; and Whereas, The current teacher contract expires on November 15, 2000, too late to work out a pact encouraging any of the likely retirees to remain; and Whereas, New York City teachers' salaries are twenty to thirty percent lower than the salaries of teachers in suburban counties of New York State; and Whereas, The number of uncertified teachers, who are generally less qualified than experienced teachers, could reach 25,000 or one-third of the instructional workforce; and Whereas, New contract negotiations that will improve salary and other benefits are needed in order to entice potential retirees to remain and compel qualified new teachers to work in the City's public schools rather than seek employment elsewhere; and Whereas, The City's future depends upon the next generation of leaders, and contributors to our society; and Whereas, It is our duty to ensure that the children in the City's public schools receive the best education available; and Whereas, The New York City Board of Education should immediately commence negotiations with the United Federation of Teachers in good faith so that we may preserve and improve the quality of education in our City's public schools; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Board of Education to immediately commence negotiations with the United Federation of Teachers and to raise New York City teachers' salaries to levels comparable with suburban teachers' salaries. Referred to the Committee on Civil Service & Labor LS#2665 CHS:ts 02/02/00 |10
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