The Rochester Teachers Association Representative Assembly is at an impasse in contract negotiations with the Rochester City School District.
RTA President Adam Urbanski said since their contract expired on June 30, the district remains unresponsive to their proposals. The group voted unanimously Sept. 15 to declare the stalemate.
The district said it sought to begin negotiations for a successor agreement in October 2025. Formal bargaining started in June.
Since that time, the district says, they have participated fully in the process, advanced proposals, responded to concerns raised during negotiations and worked to identify areas of common ground.
"Our teachers are essential to the success of our students and they deserve a contract that recognizes
the importance of their work, provides competitive compensation and supports our shared commitment to students," the district said in a statement. "RCSD is ready to reach an agreement that supports district employees. While we would have preferred to reach a successor agreement through direct negotiations, we respect the impasse process and are hopeful that PERB’s assistance will help move discussions toward resolution."
Urbanski said RTA proposals are aimed at adding needed services for students, lowering class sizes, increasing school safety and increasing their capacity to attract and retain teachers.
“The district is not only rejecting virtually all our proposals, but also continuing to misrepresent their budget,” Urbanski said in a statement. “[The district] is doing nothing about the lack of school safety, proposing to curb teachers’ rights and professional discretion, demanding concessions in our health benefits and insisting on a longer school day and a longer school year — both uncompensated.”
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester teachers, RCSD hit impasse in contract talks
