BOSTON — In a bid for new contracts, educators in three communities of Massachusetts are intensifying their efforts while parents prepare for the potential continuation of canceled classes on Tuesday.
On Thursday, teachers from Beverly and Gloucester authorized a strike, leading to school closures on Friday as they rallied for better compensation, parental leave, and various other concerns. Meanwhile, teachers in Marblehead are planning to join the picket line on Tuesday, prompting school officials to announce closures for that day as well, with no extracurricular activities scheduled.
As Monday was observed as a holiday for Veterans Day, schools had already shut down. However, teachers from the three districts congregated for a rally Monday afternoon in Gloucester, which is situated approximately 35 miles north of Boston. The gathering saw hundreds of educators waving signs and listening to various speeches.
In the Gloucester district, which serves about 2,800 students, the teachers’ union is advocating for an eight-week fully paid parental leave policy, along with two weeks at 75% pay and two weeks at 50%. Additionally, they are seeking significant raises for paraprofessionals, improved safety measures for students, and increased preparation time for elementary instructors.
Kathy Clancy, the chair of the Gloucester School Committee, disclosed that an independent mediator appointed by the state indicated the teachers’ union had ceased negotiations regarding salary and did not present a counterproposal on Monday. “Salary remains a central concern during negotiations, and we have tried to balance city finances without additional strain on taxpayers to accommodate the union’s initial proposal,” she mentioned in a statement.
In Beverly, located about 26 miles north of Boston, discussions with teachers are reportedly still in progress. Officials there are expected to provide an update Monday evening on whether schools will remain open on Tuesday. They have noted their willingness to continue negotiations despite potential cancellations.
The Beverly Teachers Association stated last week that they are pursuing reduced class sizes within the 4,500-student district, alongside a proposal for 12 weeks of paid parental leave and a “living wage” for paraprofessionals, whose starting salaries currently stand at $20,000. Julia Brotherton, co-president of the Beverly Teachers Association, criticized the school committee for its refusal to meet various demands, such as extending lunch and recess periods for students and allowing teachers to utilize their sick leave to care for seriously ill family members.
Rachael Abell, the chair of the Beverly School Committee, condemned the ongoing strike for “unfairly” disrupting students’ education. “We urge the Beverly Teachers Association to terminate their illegal strike and collaborate with us to negotiate in good faith through mediation,” she stated last week.
Teacher strikes are infrequent in Massachusetts due to state regulations that prohibit public sector employees from striking. The last instance of teachers going on strike occurred earlier this year in Newton, a suburb of Boston, where an 11-day strike concluded after both parties reached an agreement. Notably, this strike was the sixth of its kind statewide since 2022 and was the most prolonged one to date.
The resolution resulted in a cost-of-living increase of roughly 13% for teachers over a four-year period, increased wages for classroom aides, and the provision of 40 days of fully paid family leave.