As the new school year continues, city public school teachers are still working under the old contract, which expired last year on Oct. 31. To date, we still do not have a new contract in place. There is no reason for this situation.
Why can’t the mayor and city schools chancellor work harder with our union president, Michael Mulgrew, to reach a fair settlement of the contract? We teachers work hard to formulate and drive classroom instruction under difficult conditions and we deserve a decent, affordable raise we can live on.
Let’s hope the United Federation of Teachers, the city Department of Education and city can come to a reasonable, equitable agreement so the hardworking teachers of this city are able to continue to pay their bills like all the other city, state and federal workers.
Teachers also need to be treated with dignity and respect, as are the employees of other professions.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
