LAWRENCE — Three months after two-thirds of its membership rejected a new contract, the Lawrence teachers union did a complete reversal yesterday — with 92 percent voting in favoring of a three-year deal.
"That's a great vote," teachers union President Frank McLaughlin said of the secret ballot taken yesterday at the Lawrence Lodge of Elks on Andover Street.
"I've never seen a vote in the 90s in my 28 years as a teacher and member of this union. That's an overwhelming vote — record setting. If you're lucky, you get them in the 70s. I never thought we'd get the kind of turnout we got today supporting this," he said.
"Considering the condition of the economy and the condition of the state, we got a fair contract. It's as competitive as anyone. Both sides worked very hard to put it together," he said.
The vote — 406-35 — drew cheers and loud applause when it was announced shortly before 6 p.m. at the lodge.
The pact features a collective 8 percent pay increase spread over three years, which would be retroactive to last Sept. 1, when the previous contract expired. It includes a 2 percent pay increase the first year and 3 percent during each of the last two years. There also would be up to $800 in tuition reimbursements.
The proposal still must be approved by the School Committee, which meets a week from today.
Mayor Michael Sullivan and veteran School Committee member James Vittorioso don't expect any problems ratifying the contract.
"I was very happy to hear that the teachers union voted for the agreement," Sullivan said last night.
"I thank the teachers union for their patience and congratulate the negotiation teams that worked very hard in coming up with an agreement that is good for the teachers, the city of Lawrence — but more importantly, good for the wonderful students that we serve every day," the mayor said.
Vittorioso called the pay raise for the teachers "well-deserved," but expressed concerns as to how long the fiscally strapped city could continue to reward its teachers.
"I have no qualms with the contract, which is more than fair for the work they do. But the only problem is how much longer can taxpayers afford to pay for this," Vittorioso said.
"I'm pro teacher. But things are getting out of hand. For every percentage increase for the number of teachers we have, it costs the taxpayers one million dollars more. When is the bleeding going to stop?" he said.
Lawrence needs to pay its teachers well and be competitive with neighboring communities to maintain a good education system, Vittorioso said.
But, he added, "You've got to be realistic. Lawrence is the poorest city in the state. We're not the Andovers. We're not Middleton. We're not Newton North. We are a poor community."
Vittorioso and McLaughlin both expressed hopes that a contract settlement would lead to better relations between the teachers and the school administration in working on a number of challenging issues facing the school district.
"I hope we all can kiss and make up, so it's better for the children," Vittorioso said.
Until recently, teacher contract negotiations have been contentious.
Even last night, teachers were reluctant to talk about the contract on the record for fear of retaliation from the school administration.
When the teachers union rejected a similar contract proposal in December, McLaughlin blamed the vote on teachers' anger over a glowing job evaluation the School Committee gave Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy.
"I think tonight's vote is a positive one," McLaughlin said. "You're not going to make everybody happy. But I think it was a fair contract, and 92 percent of the teachers can't be wrong."
