In a few hours, the United Federation of Teachers will announce whether members have ratified the contract it negotiated a month ago with the city. Though the contract is expected to pass, the percentage of members who vote “yes” will be one barometer of how teachers feel about the deal, which stretches over nine years and includes significant raises and back pay—but parcels those payments out over many years.
Here’s a full timeline of recent contract ratifications, and below are the breakdowns of the five most recent contract votes, according to the union. The one exception: Members voted 56 percent to 44 percent to reject a proposed contract in Dec. 1995. (Members approved a similar contract in June 1996.)
1991-1995 contract – approx. 67,000 total votes, 83 percent approved
This deal, voted on in 1993, included average raises of 9 percent but favored more experienced teachers.
1995-2000 – approx. 60,000 total votes, 78 percent approved (second vote)
With the city’s finances in rough shape, this 1996 deal included a wage freeze in exchange for promises to avoid teacher layoffs.
2000-2003 – approx. 82,000 votes, 94 percent approved
The contract, voted on in 2002, included raises of between 16 and 22 percent for teachers and added 100 minutes to the workweek.
2003-2007 – approx. 87,000 total votes, 63 percent approved
This 2004 deal was controversial for including new hiring rules that prevented teachers from bumping less senior colleagues from positions. It also included 14 percent raises.
2007-2009 – approx. 78,000 votes, 91 percent approved
This contract, voted on in 2006, raised top teacher salaries over $100,000 for the first time.
2009-2018 — According to the union’s Twitter account, more than 90,000 ballots are expected.