Sept. 30, 2005 — The V. I. American Federation of Teachers has reached a tentative agreement covering wages and working conditions, according to a press release issued Friday afternoon, from the Education Department's Office of Collective Bargaining.
Teachers have been without a contract since Aug. 31, 2004.
The package covers school years 2004-2005 through 2006-2007. The tentative agreement must be ratified by the members of Locals 1825, 1826 and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
All parties have agreed to remain silent on the details of the tentative agreement until it has been fully ratified, according to the press release.
AFT members previously rejected two contracts and were poised to take further action in order to get a contact that was acceptable to their membership.
In March, the government offered AFT members a proposal with a one-time monetary allotment of $1.5 million to be divided equally among members for a three-year period. The AFT felt the proposal was an insult to the members and refused to accept the contract with a 253-64 vote March 9. (See "Teachers in Both Districts Reject Contract ").
A week later the government offered the AFT a second proposal for a one-year deal covering this school year, expiring Aug. 31, that would allot the same $1.5 million or about $714 per teacher. The teachers' union rejected that offer with a 191-131 vote. (See "Teachers Unions Reject Second Contract Offer, Plan Action").
On September 23, public school coaches on St. Thomas/St. John, fed up with stalled contract talks, boycotted the first football game of the season.
The press release concluded with Turnbull thanking the members of both negotiating teams for their dedication and persistence in working diligently to reach this agreement.

Back Talk

Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.