Contract 2023 FAQ: Pay increases

What are the important dates in this contract?

• Sept. 14, 2022 — The retroactive date on which the contract begins and the first 3% raise goes into effect.
• June 27, 2023 — You must be on payroll as of this date to receive the ratification bonus.
• Sept. 25, 2023 — Q-Bank employees will receive the $3,000 ratification bonus.
• Sept. 28, 2023 — H-Bank employees will receive the $3,000 ratification bonus. 
• Sept. 29, 2023 — Retro payments will be issued for both Q-Bank and H-Bank employees. 
• Jan. 18, 2024 — the date of the second 3% raise.
• Jan. 18, 2025 — the date of the third 3% raise.
• Sept. 14, 2025 — the date of the 3.25% raise.
• Sept. 14, 2026 — the date of the 3.5% raise.
• April 1 of each year — the date you must be on payroll to receive the annual retention bonus.
• May 1 of each year — the annual retention payment is scheduled to be paid "on or about" May 1 annually.
• Nov. 28, 2027 — the date this contract expires.

See dates for additional payments and increases. 

When will the 2024 retention bonus be paid? 

The first annual retention bonus negotiated as part of the 2023 DOE-UFT contract will be paid on May 16. All UFT-represented employees who worked full-time during the 12 months leading up to April 1, 2024, will receive $400 as a supplemental check in their bank account. 

Per diem or other part-time employees must work a minimum of 30 days in the 12 months ending on April 1 to be eligible to receive the retention bonus, which will be paid to them on June 3. The amount will be prorated based on the number of hours they worked during those 12 months. 

UFT-represented employees must have been on payroll on April 1, 2024, to receive the payment on May 16. This group includes employees on sabbatical leave, military leave with pay and paid parental leave on May 1. UFT-represented employees who are not on payroll on April 1 but return to payroll within three years — such as members on long-term childcare leave — will receive the retention bonus on a prorated basis on or about May 1 of the following year.

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When can I expect to receive payments being issued via supplemental check?

Whenever a DOE payment comes in the form of a supplemental check rather than as part of your regular payroll check, those payments can arrive in bank accounts later in the day or even the next day, and the time can vary depending on the bank. These payments are similar to depositing a check in the bank, which must clear first before the amount appears in your account balance.

The digital classroom setup payment at the end of October and the annual retention bonuses in May will be paid by supplemental check and will appear in bank accounts at varying times.

Who receives the annual retention bonus each May?

Anyone, including per diems, who works for at least 30 days in a given school year and is on payroll as of April 1 of the same year, is eligible for the retention bonus. Individuals working only on a per session basis do not qualify.

UFT-represented employees who are not on payroll on April 1 but return to payroll within three years — such as members on long-term childcare leave — will receive the retention bonus on a prorated basis on or about May 1 of the following year.

Is the annual retention bonus pensionable?

No, it is not. By making these payments non-pensionable, we were able to make the size of these retention bonuses bigger. No TDA or pension contributions will be taken from these bonuses either, so the take-home pay from these bonuses will be more.

Will the annual retention bonuses be taxed at a different/higher rate?

The annual retention bonuses should not be taxed at a higher rate by default, but because DOE payroll software recognizes these payments as part of your regular pay, it is possible it would assume this amount is the same that you make twice a month (or every two weeks depending on your title). You should receive this money back in your tax return when you file your taxes. Because the bonus is not pensionable, no tax-deferred annuity (TDA) or pension contributions will be taken from these payments.

Will per-diem and F-status employees receive the full retention bonus amount?

Per diem and F-status employees must work a minimum of 30 days in the 12 months ending on April 1 to be eligible to receive an annual retention bonus payment. The amount will be pro-rated based on their work schedule.

Will we still receive the $225 per year for setting up our digital classrooms?

Yes — these annual payments are now a permanent part of the contract. Digital classrooms should be set up by Sept. 30. Members on payroll as of Sept. 30 will receive $225 for completing this task. Remember, digital classroom payments are paid by supplementary check, which appears in accounts later in the day. Times can vary by bank. If you came on payroll after Sept. 30, you may submit for this payment. 

Paras asked for separate checks for per-session work. What is happening with that request?

The DOE committed to working to develop an online per-session system that would allow all employees to be able to see a breakdown of what they are being paid for and when. The DOE is also committed to looking at how employees are paid, whether in the regular paycheck or in a separate check.