QUINCY − The Quincy Education Association has reached a contract agreement with the city after a contentious public battle over family leave, wages and working conditions in the Quincy schools.

The district and teachers union issued a joint statement Friday afternoon announcing the "successful negotiation" of collective bargaining agreement for Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2025.

"Both parties agree that this settlement represents a positive step forward for the district and our educational staff who work hard in the schools every day supporting students and families," the statement said. "This new contract contains a number of significant improvements for Quincy educators. We are grateful for the work of both parties in reaching this contract and look forward to a continued collaborative relationship."

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The union and the city had been negotiating since last June. The teachers' contract expired Aug. 31.

"I'm please that we've come to an agreement," Mayor Thomas Koch said Saturday. "I know both sides worked hard to get there, and I'm pleased for how the focus will continue to be on the kids."

Representatives for the teachers union did not immediately respond to request for comment Saturday morning. Details of the settlement were not available. Union members will still have to reatify the agreement before it goes into effect.

Koch earlier this month said the teachers may have been headed for a strike. The two sides had not been able to reach a compromise as educators demanded more longevity pay and better parental leave.

The fight reached beyond the closed-door bargaining sessions as teachers demonstrated outside school committee meeting, parents spoke up on their behalf and public officials responded to what were called "hearsay, unsubstantiated allegations and false allegations."

The Quincy deal marks the second South Shore community to settle with the teachers union in recent weeks.

The Weymouth union settled earlier this month after nearly a year of negotiations. Michael Murphy, president of the Weymouth Educators Association, said the contract would provide a pay increase of about 13.5% over four years for teachers, as well as other benefits.

Teachers in Braintree are still working to settle their contract with the town, and supporters participated in stand out Tuesday outside town hall. The union is seeking raises for educational support professionals and changes in working conditions, such as guaranteed daily preparation time for elementary school teachers.

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Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Strike off the table: Quincy, teachers settle in contract negotiations