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Collective Bargaining Updates

AFT

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents hourly certificated teachers who teach classes primarily for adult students.

2025-2026 reopener negotiations

June 10, 2026

Following negotiations, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Metropolitan Education District (MetroED) reached a Tentative Agreement for the 2025-26 Reopener Negotiations on June 8, 2026. As part of the Tentative Agreement, negotiations for 2026-27 and 2027-28 are suspended. Terms are effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.

The parties met over multiple bargaining sessions to exchange proposals, share rationale and supporting data, and work collaboratively toward resolution.

The MetroED Governing Board will consider ratification of the Tentative Agreement at its August 12, 2026, Board meeting. Approval of the agreement will allow the District to move forward with implementing the negotiated terms, including salary schedule adjustments and other agreed-upon changes.

Major Highlights of the Tentative Agreement, by Article:

Major Highlights of the Tentative Agreement

Article 4000 - District Rights

Added language to enhance clarity

Article 5000 - Federation Rights

Added language to enhance clarity

Article 9000 - Leaves and Absences

Updated language to reflect the current law surrounding FMLA, CFRA, Reproductive Loss Leave, and Bereavement
Enhanced clarity in Personal Necessity and Discretionary language

Article 15000 - Salary

Three Percent (3%) on-schedule salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2025
Four Percent (4%) on- schedule salary increase commencing July 1, 2026
Three Percent (3%) on- schedule salary increase commencing July 1, 2027
Three (3) Longevity Steps, each at three percent (3%): Beginning at 12 complete years and 5,400 hours, 16 complete years and 7,200 hours, and 20 complete years and 9,000 hours

Article 16000 - Benefits

From July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026, the District will assume full cost of the District-offered health and dental (employee, plus eligible dependents), and life insurance (employee) benefits that exceed the District's current CAP of $24,500
Beginning July 1, 2027, the District will assume the full cost of Kaiser health insurance plans, including District-paid dental, for full-time (0.90) FTE AFT District employees and their eligible dependents. The Kaiser health insurance plan, along with dental insurance, shall be prorated according to employee FTE as described in Article 16310
Beginning January 1, 2027, the District shall transition from the current composite cap structure to the individual cap contribution model. Full-time (0.90) FTE AFT employees who choose non-Kaiser District offered health benefits will have an individual CAP (per employee) of $24,500. The CAP shall be prorated according to the employee's FTE as described in Article 16310
Regardless of an employee's chosen health plan, life insurance will be paid by the District for unit members 0.50FTE and above

Article 34000 - Reopeners

Suspended until July 1, 2028
Parties shall continue to work together through the Benefits Task Force to review and make recommendations about possible changes to plan or vendor relationships
If any other bargaining unit receives a larger percentage cost-of-living increase or one-time payment for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 years, the parties agree to return to the table. If any other bargaining unit settles with a more generous benefits structure or a higher district contribution, the Parties agree to return to the table.

AFT and MetroED appreciate the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated throughout the bargaining process. Both parties remain committed to reaching agreements that support employees, uphold fiscal responsibility, and advance the long-term success of the District and its students.

Sincerely,

Arezoo Miller, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Lead Negotiator and Lisa Ketchum, District Lead Negotiator

2024-2027 SUCCESSOR negotiations

January 26, 2026

Following negotiations and mediation, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Metropolitan Education District (MetroED) reached a Tentative Agreement for the successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2024–2025 school year.

The parties met over multiple bargaining sessions to exchange proposals, share rationale and supporting data, and work collaboratively toward resolution. When additional assistance was determined to be beneficial, the parties jointly participated in mediation.

As a result of mediation and continued good-faith discussions, AFT and the District reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on January 23, 2026.

The MetroED Governing Board will consider ratification of the Tentative Agreement at its February 11, 2026, Board meeting. Approval of the agreement will allow the District to move forward with implementing the negotiated terms, including salary schedule adjustments and other agreed-upon changes.

Major Highlights of the Tentative Agreement, by Article

Article 3000 – Term

Effective date of revisions: July 1, 2024
Contract term: July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027
Updated reopener language

Article 8000 – Working Conditions and Safety

Clean-up of existing language to reflect current class offerings

Article 9000 – Discretionary Days

Added language clarifying approval of discretionary day requests surrounding the first or last scheduled workday of the semester

Article 10000 – Job Security

Clarified eligibility for probationary and permanent status
Removed language related to District Complaint Procedures, which are addressed through Board Policy and District procedures
Additional minor language clean-up

Article 11000 – Class Size

Clean-up of existing language to reflect current class offerings
Increased maximum class size for Adult Basic Education and Beginning Low ESL classes from 25 to 30 students
Enrollment and Class Size maximums shall be thirty-three (33) students in all program areas except Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language (Beginning Low level only). Increased maximum enrollment for Adult Basic Education and Beginning Low ESL classes from 25 to 30 students.

Article 13000 – Evaluation

Refined evaluation language to include a Goals Meeting, classroom observation aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs)/Adult Education Competencies and Goals, and post-observation conferences

Article 15000 – Salary

Two percent (2%) on-schedule salary increase, retroactive to July 1, 2024
One-time payment of $1,140, prorated

Article 16000 – Employee Benefits

Increased life insurance coverage from $15,000 to $50,000, effective July 1, 2025

AFT and MetroED appreciate the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated throughout the bargaining and mediation process. Both parties remain committed to reaching agreements that support employees, uphold fiscal responsibility, and advance the long-term success of the District and its students.

Sincerely,

Arezoo Miller, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) lead negotiator and Lisa Ketchum, District lead negotiator

January 5, 2026

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Metropolitan Education District (MetroED) are committed to a transparent, respectful, and good-faith bargaining process.

Negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2024–2025 school year began in April 2025 with the most recent bargaining session held on August 14, 2025. After eight bargaining sessions, and nearly 18 hours, the parties have mutually declared an impasse following extensive discussions and good-faith efforts to resolve all issues.

The District and AFT have reached tentative agreement on six contract articles:

Article 3000: Term of Agreement
Article 8000: Working Conditions and Safety
Article 9000: Discretionary Days
Article 10000: Job Security
Article 11000: Class Size
Article 13000: Evaluation

The sole issue remaining in dispute is salary for the 2024–2025 school year. The District has proposed a 1.5% salary increase, and AFT has proposed a 2.0% salary increase. While the difference between the proposals is 0.5%, the parties have met multiple times to share concerns, rationale, and supporting data and have been unable to reach agreement.

As a result, AfT and the District have jointly determined that the assistance of a state-appointed mediator is needed to help move the parties forward. Both parties remain committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement and will continue to provide updates as the process progresses.

Sincerely,
Arezoo Miller, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) lead negotiator and Lisa Ketchum, District lead negotiator