Mulgrew Says Retroactive Raises Are a ‘Big Issue’ Going Into Contract Negotiations

[hrmjustin]

BY JILL COLVIN

The president of the city’s teachers’ union, Michael Mulgrew, said today that receiving retroactive pay raises for his members is a “big issue” going into contract negotiations with the new administration, in his most specific comments on the topic to date.

“Myself and the mayor—Mayor de Blasio–have been very clear that we don’t want to do negotiations in the media,” Mr. Mulgrew told WNYC during a radio interview this afternoon, before acknowledging that back pay will indeed be a key issue moving forward.

“It’s a big issue for us. It is a very large issue with us,” said Mr. Mulgrew, who stopped short of discussing the potential cost savings that Mr. de Blasio has said he will require in exchange for potential back pay.

http://politicker.com/2014/02/mulgrew-says-retroactive-raises-are-a-big-issue-going-into-contract-negotiations/