The Council of the District of Columbia on Jan. 7 approved an emergency declaration and the underlying resolution to ratify a five-year collective bargaining agreement between DC Public Schools and the Washington Teachers Union (WTU) that covers roughly 5,776 teachers.

Chairman Phil Mendelson told the council the package would allow consideration of the collective bargaining agreement. The chief financial officer estimated the agreement would cost approximately $52,100,000 in fiscal year 2025 and about $238,900,000 through fiscal year 2028, according to council remarks.

The agreement provides a 4% bonus in lieu of a wage increase for fiscal year 2024, followed by wage increases of 2% in FY2025, 3% in FY2026, 3% in FY2027 and 4% in FY2028. It also increases optical, dental and legal benefits, adds athletic trainers to the bargaining unit for the first time, and expands planning-time protections including additional morning planning time for all teachers and stronger protections for special education, English learner and cooperative teachers.

Councilmember Robert White praised the agreement as a hard-fought settlement that provides stability for students and teachers. “This 5 year contract is a testament to the dedication of our teachers and the commitment of both teachers and the administration and the council to ensure stability for our students in our schools,” White said.

Councilmember Bonds added the contract produced a roughly 12% increase in wages over the life of the agreement and said it included new categories and procedural changes intended to improve retention, staffing and working conditions. The council voted unanimously to adopt the emergency declaration and the underlying resolution approving the contract.