(NEW YORK CITY) - The Association of Teachers & Staff (ATS.NYFA/UAW) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the New York Film Academy. Pending ratification, Members will have their first contract after 18 months of fierce bargaining and tireless organizing to demonstrate Workers’ collective power. The Union Members have secured an agreement that will make NYFA a better place to work. Throughout the last year, ATS Members saw the NYFA outsource Employees and issue mass Worker furloughs with virtually no notice. Their collective action compelled NYFA to act with more transparency and provide evidence to explain the actions. With new information confirming the school’s financial challenges, the final stretch of the Union's first contract campaign focused on preserving as much of the Members’ current compensation and winning protections in case of ongoing financial instability. The Members won, for the first time at the NYFA, guaranteed severance pay for layoffs and notice for any layoff (or pay in lieu of). Even though they were limited by financial constraints, their collective courage, hard work and solidarity has resulted in real gains for the Membership, including gold-star protections from bullying, abuse, discrimination and harassment, protections from overwork and fair scheduling practices, increases in vacation days and an expansion of who’s eligible to accrue vacation, new titles, Just Cause protections, notice for layoffs and severance pay for laid-off Full-Time Employees.

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