W. Hempstead Teachers Settle Contracts, Sacrifice 'Step'

The two-year dispute between the West Hempstead school district and its teachers union over contracts has finally been settled.

The district issued a press release Thursday afternoon announcing that both sides had reached an agreement.

"The West Hempstead Board of Education and the West Hempstead Education Association (WHEA) have concluded contract negotiations that began in the summer of 2009, with both sides agreeing to a financial settlement that is responsive [to] the economic climate and to the District’s financial resources," according to the release.

WHEA, which represents approximately 225 teachers and teaching assistants, has agreed to forgo annual step increases and any potential salary advancement through additional educational attainment for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 fiscal years.

They also agreed to go without additional "retroactive pay" that they may have been entitled to since the contract expired July 1, 2009.  Therefore, the salary schedule for the 2009–2010 or 2010–2011 will not be improved according to the agreement. Salary schedules for 2011-2012, however, will be improved by approximately 2 percent and in 2012-2013 by 1.75 percent.

"By agreeing to a 'hard freeze' on step, the faculty of the West Hempstead School District has helped save millions of dollars in potential salary increase well beyond the life of this contract," read the statement. "The West Hempstead Board of Education believes it has agreed to one of the most financially responsible teacher contracts in New York State."

WHEA President Barbara Hafner said, "It is our hope that the West Hempstead community appreciates the sacrifice made by the members of WHEA and urge the Board of Education to utilize the savings of more than a million dollars to restore cut programs and teachers who were laid off during these tough economic times."

She explained that the union members agreed to the concessions because they care about the community, including its taxpayers and its children.

"We believe in the best educational and extra-curricular programs for our students," she said. "Because we care…WHEA gave back."