Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced a new wage agreement with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Locals 1825 and 1826 Tuesday, resulting in salary increases for the territory’s teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff.
The two-year agreement, which is retroactive from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2025, includes a four percent raise in the first year and a three percent raise in the second year, bringing the starting salary for teachers with a bachelor’s degree to over $50,000.
The deal represents a major financial commitment, with approximately $4 million in retroactive pay for the 2023-2024 school year and another $3 million earmarked for the 2024-2025 school year. In a press release announcing the contract Tuesday, the governor emphasized that this agreement underscores ongoing efforts to support educators amid ongoing economic challenges.
“As we look toward the future of our public education system, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff who give so much to the students of the Virgin Islands,” Bryan said. “This wage agreement is not just about salary increases—it is about recognizing the value of those who shape the minds and futures of our young people.”
The negotiations, which began in July 2023, took time to address key issues, particularly salary increases. Chief Negotiator for the Office of Collective Bargaining, Joss Springette, noted in a call with the Source Tuesday afternoon that, generally, salary discussions are typically the biggest hurdle in the bargaining process.
“Salaries are usually the biggest issue in most negotiations,” Springette said. “The parties often start with different proposals, but one of the governor’s main objectives was to ensure that the base salary for teachers reached $50,000.”
Springette explained that extensive preparation went into the budget planning process to ensure that the necessary funds were available. “Before we go to the table, we have conversations with the Office of Management and Budget and the governor to make sure the numbers align, and, in our requests to the Legislature, worked to factor in the funding needed to cover all wage negotiations across the board.”
The agreement includes a “wage reopener” clause, which allows the government and the AFT to return to the table before the end of the current agreement to negotiate a successor contract for the 2025-2028 period. This provision was included to account for potential shifts in revenue projections and economic conditions that could affect future salary adjustments.
“It’s not prudent to lock in projections for too long,” Springette said. “Circumstances change, and we need to have the flexibility to come back to the table and renegotiate if needed.”
This is the second time Springette has negotiated with the AFT since 2019 and she expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “I’m happy with how this went—always happy to complete negotiations and ensure that we’re moving forward,” Springette added.
Speaking to the Source, Bryan said that about $4 million in retroactive wage pay is still owed to the AFT, which he aims to set aside and pay by November.
