First Tentative Agreement with Management Reached; Teachers Will Vote This Wed. April 16

Guild in tentative agreement

with Kaplan on initial contract

The Guild reached a tentative contract with Kaplan International Centers yesterday that would provide protections and a voice in the workplace for its newest members. Kaplan Guild members will get to vote on the package on April 16.

Kaplan teachers initially sought out the Guild in hopes of ending what they saw as wrongful or mysterious terminations, and getting company-paid benefits. ESL teachers at Kaplan’s three New York City schools won union representation in June 2012 and have been at the bargaining table since November of that year seeking a contract. Most Kaplan teachers are part-timers with no paid vacations, holidays or sick time, and no medical insurance. If the tentative agreement is ratified, some of those part-time teachers will be eligible for those benefits.

The proposed deal is for a two-year contract and would provide:

·         “Just cause” language for terminations

·         A grievance and arbitration procedure

·         A clear progressive discipline process

·         Paid bereavement leave for all employees

·         A minimum hourly rate for all employees

·         Protections from subcontracting of work

·         Increase in the prep time rate to $12 per hour from the current $8 per hour (NYC minimum wage)

·         Creation of a new position, senior part-time teacher, which will be entitled to paid holidays, vacation and personal days

·         A company-paid subsidy of $20.33 per pay period toward the cost of health insurance for employees who purchased insurance coverage (pay-periods are bi-weekly)

·         A 401(k) matching contribution of 1 percent for part-time employees (currently, part-time employees are not eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan) 

·         A 401(k) matching contribution of 2 percent for full-time employees, with an increase to a match of 3 percent after five years of service.

The Guild bargaining committee wanted to address many other issues, especially issues that affect part-time teachers. The committee was hoping to achieve paid vacations, holidays and sick time for all part-timers but Kaplan management would not agree. In the end, Kaplan agreed to provide vacation and holiday pay only to the seven current full-time teachers and the new group of senior part-time teachers (15 individuals who will be promoted if the contract is ratified).  Due to a New York City sick leave law that took effect on April 1, all Kaplan employees now have paid sick time.

While this is not the contract the bargaining committee or the Guild had hoped for, it still has some good provisions that all the Kaplan Guild members can be proud of. 

In addition, the bold action taken by Kaplan’s New York teachers, who voted for Guild representation by a two-to-one margin, had a great impact on Kaplan schools across the country. Because New York teachers had the courage to step up and seek a voice in the workplace, Kaplan teachers across the country have realized increases in compensation for prep time and other duties, new part-time positions were created in schools outside of New York, and all part-timers have access to a 401(k) plan and matching contributions. 

So, while the contract is not perfect and not where we wanted to be, it is a step in the right direction and a solid base from which to build for our next negotiations. It will be up to all Kaplan teachers to maintain the resolve and commitment to be strong and united when bargaining for the next contract begins in 2016.

RATIFICATION VOTES SETRatification meetings have been set for April 16 at the Newspaper Guild of New York, 1500 Broadway, Suite 900. You will need a picture ID to gain entrance to the building. Please note the lobby is under construction and a temporary entrance is located on 43^rd Street adjacent to the Brooklyn Diner. Meetings will be held at 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Only Guild members may attend, speak or vote at any of the meetings. If you are not a member, you may sign a membership card at the door before entering the meeting. If you can’t attend one of the scheduled meetings, you are welcome to stop by any time after 10 a.m. on April 16 to cast your vote. We have attached a PDF of the proposed contract so you may review it before the ratification meeting. You may also view it by clicking here.  If you have any questions please contact Guild Representative Anthony Napoli by email or phone at 212-730-1508. You also may contact any of the members of the bargaining committee whose names appear below.

Guild Bargaining Committee

Unit Chairperson Emily Lessem, Midtown - 917-817-4293
Shana Dagenhart, SoHo - 646-469-0325Michael Bennett, SoHo - 917-743-8538Ben Bush, formerly from ESB 
Jon Blanchette, formerly from ESB - 347-619-3391
Jonathan Ellis, Midtown - 917-617-6870
Paul Hlava, SoHo - 718-844-3964