Berkeley teachers approve contract giving 3% yearly raise

"The contract, which is retroactive to July 2025 and runs through June 30, 2027, was approved by 84% of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers (BFT) membership, which includes 900 teachers, counselors, substitutes, school psychologists and librarians in the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD). The agreement will provide a 3% salary increase this school year and another 3% raise next year, plus a one-time $1,000 bonus."

"The district also agreed to increase its share of healthcare coverage to 70% of premiums for families and dependents in 2027, bumping up to 80% the following year. The district currently pays 56% of teacher healthcare costs."

"The union initially asked for a 5% salary increase for both years and fully subsidized healthcare benefits, which the union stated is still a long-term goal. Meyer said Berkeley teachers and the district reached a tentative agreement in late February following a 13-hour fact-finding and negotiation session on Feb. 20."

Berkeley Unified School District teachers approved a new two-year contract retroactive to July 2025 through June 2027, with 84% voting in favor. The agreement includes 3% salary increases for each year and a one-time $1,000 bonus. Healthcare coverage increases from the current 56% to 70% in 2027 and 80% the following year. The union initially sought 5% annual raises and fully subsidized healthcare but accepted the current terms after negotiations pushed the district as far as possible without declaring fiscal emergency. This agreement follows weeks of tense negotiations across California school districts facing fiscal challenges and labor actions.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org