Cincinnati Public Schools Reaches Wage Reopener Agreement with Unions

Cincinnati Public Schools Reaches Wage Reopener Agreement with Unions

Cincinnati, Ohio (June 29, 2023) – Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and labor partners Cincinnati Federation of Teachers (CFT), Cincinnati Federation of Office Professionals (CFOP), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Cincinnati Association of Administrators and Supervisors (CAAS), Greater Cincinnati Building Trades Council (GCBTC) and International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 20 (Carpenters Unit) have reached a wage reopener agreement for the 2023-2024 school year. As approved by the CPS Board of Education, the parties agree to a 4 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) effective July 1, 2023, for CFT, CFOP, AFSCME, IUOE and GCBTC and Aug. 1, 2023, for CAAS and unrepresented employees.

The District is committed to fair and equitable compensation, working to find solutions that benefit both employees and CPS as a whole to provide our students with a quality education. As salaries and wages continue to rise, this agreement helps CPS and its ongoing efforts to be competitive within the Cincinnati region and the national job market. First year teachers will begin at a salary of $50,277 and veteran teachers will earn more based on their experience in the classroom, endorsements, graduate level coursework and degrees. Wage tables for all represented employees will incrementally increase to a minimum of $20 per hour by July 1, 2025. This agreement supports the livelihoods of our dedicated employees, providing financial stability and support while working to address the impact of inflation on wages.

“Working with our labor partners to reach this wage reopener agreement was a positive and collaborative experience, with all parties committed to the well-being of our students and staff. Through open dialogue and constructive discussions, we worked together to address the needs of staff, ensuring fair compensation in the face of inflation,” CPS Superintendent and CEO Iranetta Rayborn Wright said. “I firmly believe this agreement will further strengthen our school district and enhance the educational experience for our students by helping to address our staffing needs."

"This agreement is a testament to the CPS Board of Education’s unwavering dedication to the district’s staff and their invaluable contributions to our students' education. By approving this agreement, we are not only ensuring fair compensation for our educators but also fostering a positive relationship with our unions,” CPS Board President Ben Lindy said. “Together, we are creating an environment that promotes excellence in education and supports the growth and well-being of our entire school community. This agreement reflects our shared vision of providing the best possible educational opportunities for our students."

The current union contracts are effective until summer 2024, at which time the district expects new contracts will be approved and implemented without delay.

“CFT and CFOP have completed our contractual ratification process for our third year reopener. This cost of living increase will help CPS to recruit and retain a complete complement of staff in all of our schools so that we can have the staffing levels we need to move forward successfully,” said Julie Sellers, President of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers.

“The Cincinnati Association of Administrators and Supervisors (CAAS) is very happy that all unions were able to reach agreement for the wage reopener. We are especially excited for the employees in some of our unions who are below $20 an hour because this wage reopener will move them to a higher mark over the next two years,” CAAS President Michael Turner said. “This will help better serve our children because of the ability to hire and retain quality employees.”

This agreement signifies CPS’ commitment to open and constructive dialogue with our unions, and establishes a positive framework for ongoing collaboration.

###

About Cincinnati Public Schools

The Cincinnati City School District, also known as Cincinnati Public Schools, serves about 36,000 students in over 66 schools spread across southwest Ohio. CPS is Greater Cincinnati's largest, and Ohio's second largest school district. CPS offers families high-quality educational choices and a variety of academic programs. With a focus on Academics, Behavior and Culture, CPS is committed to developing the whole child, ensuring students thrive and graduate prepared to enroll in college, enlist in the military or become gainfully employed. For more information, visit www.cps-k12.org