QSD 172/QFT reach tentative agreement

QUINCY — Quincy School District 172 and the Quincy Federation of Teachers have reached a tentative labor agreement.

Reportedly, the contract includes the largest salary increase for teachers since 1989 and deals with insurance and student discipline issues. Neither said wanted to disclose details until the contract is finalized.

The union has subgroups representing teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, secretaries, security employees and workers in food service and transportation. QFT represents around 90 percent of QSD 172 employees, while the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Service Employees International Union represent the rest.

Brandi Many, president of the union’s sub-group, said the tentative deal was reached following Wednesday night’s bargaining session.

“We’re happy,” Many said. “Membership had several concerns and we were able to address many of them.”

All groups will begin voting on Tuesday, May 10 and voting will continue until midnight, Thursday, May 12. Many will then present the results to Quincy School Board President Sayeed Ali and Vice President Shelley Arns on Friday, May 13.

Arns, who ran point on the Board’s negotiating team, said if the union ratifies the contract, she expects the Board to vote on it at the May 18 meeting.

Regarding the length of the deal, Ali and Many would only say it is a “multi-year contract”.

“We’re optimistic it will be ratified,” Arns said. “It’s good for all. It takes everyone to come to the table and make it happen. We have worked to build respect and trust (with the union).”