$750 coming soon and only once

When NYC teachers ratified a new contract a year in advance, we got an unusual provision: some cash to be paid before the contract is effective. And it is coming.

The $750 arrives January 16 12 as part of your regular check

We will see the money in the mid-January check. There will not be a separate check (I know, I know, we all eventually pay the tax anyhow, but it doesn’t seem nice that they will be taking out so much up front.) Without looking things up, some titles will get less.

So, I will enjoy the money. Not going to turn that down. Even the $450 I actually receive. But I’m not happy (not a big surprise, I guess.) (click to read on—->

The $750 does not become a part of our salary. Once, and it’s gone. In other words, if you have a 25 year career, it’s like an extra 30 bucks a year. Now, if we have gotten a raise worth $30 a year, for a $60k p.a. teacher, that would be one twentieth of 1 percent, or 0.02 percent (Increase our 7.1% to 7.12%) But that would be much better. Why? Because it would become part of our base, because future raises would work from that point. But the $750, spend it, and it’s gone.

I voted for the new contract, and most teachers did. But I hope no one voted yes to cash in on early cash. This feels like ‘sucker money’ no matter that I am glad to take it. Next time, lets bargain for things we get to keep.