BASIS Tucson North educators ratify historic union contract in Arizona

BASIS Tucson North Educators Secure Groundbreaking Union Contract

TUCSON, Ariz.—In a historic move, teachers and staff at BASIS Tucson North have successfully ratified their inaugural collective bargaining agreement. This development marks the school as the sole unionized charter school in Arizona, according to AFT Local 6627, Arizona Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (AZ-ACTS).

The unionization efforts by the 55 educators of BASIS Tucson North, which serves grades 5 through 12, were driven by a desire to advocate effectively for student needs and to seek financial transparency from BASIS LLC, the school's for-profit operator. The newly ratified contract promises to eliminate unfair labor practices by establishing enforceable employment terms, a structured grievance process, and assured raises and benefits for staff.

Randi Weingarten, who leads the parent union AFT, praised the Local 6627 members for their courageous efforts in organizing and securing a contract. She emphasized, “This is the first contract for an Arizona charter school, laying a strong foundation for rights and a voice for educators at their school and showing others at unorganized charters the way to move forward. This contract will help educators in charters in Arizona and elsewhere to see how important it is to have a union.”

BASIS operates numerous charter schools not only in Arizona, including several in Phoenix, but also in Texas, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C.

In a testament to its educational excellence, U.S. News & World Report recently recognized Tucson North as the top high school and best charter school in the nation for the 2025-26 academic year.

The AFT encompasses a diverse membership of 1.8 million individuals, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.