Kaplan Teachers Fight for a First Contract

Kaplan teachers in New York City are fighting hard for a first contract to get fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.

"The Kaplan business model is obscene," said Bill O'Meara, president of the New York Newspaper Guild, which represents the workers. "They charge ridiculous tuition but only pay their teachers a pittance, minimum wage in most cases. They keep nearly all the teachers on part-time status to avoid providing benefits. It's time for this very profitable company to agree to a contract that pays a living wage and provides things like sick leave and paid vacations to the most important employees at the company – the teachers who interact with the students every day."

In a new video, these teachers are speaking out. Here's what they're saying:

"We don't have any vacations – or more importantly, sick days. If I get sick then I have to make the decision on whether I want to make other people sick or whether I don't want money."

"I feel like teachers at Kaplan are not supported by the administration. The company itself doesn't seem to value what we do in the classroom."

"They gave their former CEO who left in disgrace a $76 million golden parachute. That's equivalent to the salaries of 3,000 Kaplan teachers. Students pay a lot of money for the experience they have at Kaplan and teachers see a really minimal amount of that."

Sign this petition now to support teachers at the bargaining table!

And like these Kaplan teachers on Facebook.