Setting the Record Straight - Teachers NOT Working for Free

I've been hearing words to the effect, "Those poor teachers are working without a contract." The words usually come from a parent who has been fed this line by a teacher.

Everyone in the Bedford School District needs to understand that this does not mean teachers are working without pay. Quite to the contrary.

It is true that the school board and the teachers union has been at an impasse with regards to a new contract since June. But because of the Triborough Amendment, teachers are merrily collecting everything that was in their last contract, including generous raises every six months. They can continue to do this in perpetuity, and there's nothing anyone can do about it except call them out.

When the union says its teachers are working "without a contract," it is meant to elicit sympathy from you and me. They are deliberately letting us think they're not getting paid. Don't fall for it.

Shortly, I will outline quite specifically what a typical teacher with, say, 10 years experience makes, including all the benefits. You will no longer think them underpaid.