In December 2019, the Mundo Verde Staff at the P Street Campus voted to ratify their first contract with the ongoing help of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and in January 2020, teachers and staff located at the newly opened second campus called, Calle Ocho, joined the union through a successful card check. Not soon after, the doors of the school closed as the pandemic hit our Nation. Their new bargaining agreement reflected the productive relationship that both Mundo Verde administrators and staff had carefully sustained at the bargaining table.

AFT President Randi Weingarten praised the contract, saying, “This is how collective bargaining is supposed to work. It’s refreshing to see administrators and educators come to the table to problem-solve. The contract is proof positive that by working together, we can help make the school an even better place for kids to learn and thrive.” She noted that “the contract ensures hourly staff are paid a living wage” and lauded it for paying special attention to non-instructional staff—cafeteria, operations and extended day—to ensure that they, too, will receive additional compensation for certifications and extra training.