WEA Contract: 3.25% Raise, Improved Parental Leave 

by Chris Wangler

November 22, 2022

On Monday, members of the Waltham Educators Association (WEA) voted “overwhelmingly” to approve an agreement negotiated with the Waltham School Committee for a new 3-year contract [see full WEA statement below].

The school committee is expected to vote on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at its next meeting on December 7.  

The WEA represents roughly 800 educators. Their contract ended on August 31.

Negotiations between the school committee and the union accelerated after dozens of Waltham teachers jammed a school committee meeting on November 2. 

Half a dozen veteran Waltham educators spoke, pressing school officials for higher pay amid high inflation and low morale.

The new agreement calls for a 3.25% raise each year for three years.

The WEA also asked for changes to contract language covering parental leave, which educators said was not in keeping with current realities

In the old contract, birthing mothers could take up to 30 sick days and 40 for a Caesarean birth.

Fathers and adoptive parents could use only 7 family sick days after the birth of a child.

“The new language allows members up to 40 days, regardless of type of birth or whether they are the birth parent or non-birthing parent,” said WEA co-president Ryan Hoyt.

WEA Press Release

The WEA leadership is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the Waltham School Committee for a successor agreement and that our membership ratified the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Monday November 21.

Negotiations started on March 1st, 2022 and continued into November.

Although a variety of unfortunate factors led to negotiations that were prolonged more than we would have liked, the general tone of negotiations was professional and our meetings were productive, for the most part.

In the end, we were able to achieve an agreement that we believe is fair and that reflects the priorities of our membership.  Some key highlights include:

  • Maintaining current health care allocations
  • A 3.25% raise in each year of the contract
  • COVID pay
  • More inclusive and family friendly parental leave (8 weeks paid parental leave)
  • Fair compensation for hourly work, coverages, additional days of work, advisory roles and meetings

We are especially thankful for the activism of our membership and the support from our students, parents and community.  With all of the challenges that we face in our schools, it is critical that we all continue to work hard to secure funding that adequately addresses these needs.  Our students deserve talented, well equipped teachers, small class sizes, vibrant course offerings and extra curricular opportunities, modern facilities, state-of-the-art technology and appropriate programming for all students. 

Our city is especially well positioned to fully fund all of these public education efforts and we hope that with continued attention to the budget process and how funds are allocated, we can all encourage our elected officials to continue their commitment to fully fund our excellent schools.

Nate Rono
Ryan Hoyt
 
Waltham Educators Association Co-Presidents