DENVER – Following a marathon overnight negotiating session, the Denver teacher’s strike is over.
We’re still awaiting a full breakdown about details of the agreement, however, the district agreed to a counter offer from the Denver Teachers Classroom Association (DCTA).
The agreement must be ratified by the teacher’s union in order to go into effect. The DCTA said the agreement resulted in an increase of 7 to 11 percent in base pay and a “clear and transparent” 20-step salary schedule as well as cost of living increases in the second and third years of the agreement.
DCTA president Amie Baca-Oehlert released a statement after announcing the end of the strike. It read in part, “Denver educators didn’t just fight for their students, profession and community. They have led the way for our entire state by bringing to the forefront our students’ need for qualified, committed, and caring educators that can afford to stay in the classroom and live in the communities where they teach.”
Denver Public Schools posted on Facebook:
We're pleased to share that DPS and the DCTA reached a tentative agreement on a new ProComp contract at about 6 a.m. on…
Posted by Denver Public Schools on Thursday, February 14, 2019
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, ” I am happy to see that @DPSNewsNow and @DenverTeachers came back to the table tonight and reached a tentative agreement. This is great news for teachers, educators, administrators, and, most importantly, the students of Denver.”
Denver teachers began striking on Monday in an effort to improve base pay for teachers in the district. They said called the district’s previous salary schedule confusing and unpredictable and they said it didn’t provide an adequate wage to teachers.
Denver Public Schools had said its previous proposals to offer a solution before the strike began were competitive and offered incentives to attract and retain teachers.
