Three lecturers strikes alongside North Shore dangle over coming college week as negotiations stall

Strikes in three North Shore cities got here nearer to interrupting the subsequent college week as negotiations continued to stall Sunday.

Beverly and Gloucester lecturers unions declared strikes on Thursday, resulting in cancelled courses on Friday in each districts. Marblehead educators voted to strike on Friday.

All three unions stated they’ve engaged in months of negotiations to no avail, citing priorities together with aggressive wage enhance, upped paid household go away and different advantages, and excessive turnover.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Gloucester educators stated the varsity committee “continues to reject our counter-proposal offers.”

The Gloucester Faculty Committee Chair Kathleen Clancy stated the edges continued to barter Sunday with a mediator and a court docket issued an injunction ordering the educators to return to work on Saturday. Clancy stated the committee is anxious for fogeys scrambling for childcare and college students who depend on college companies.

“Our message to the parents is we remain committed,” stated Clancy. “We value our teachers, and we have to come to an agreement that fits within what city can afford.”

The Beverly lecturers gave a stay replace Sunday night time, saying they’re persevering with to barter and highlighting the wants of paraprofessionals within the district. On the finish of the contract the varsity committee has proposed, the union representatives said, paraprofessionals would solely make $28,500.

The Marblehead Training Affiliation stated the Faculty Committee “refused to negotiate” on Sunday and so they filed an unfair labor observe cost with the state’s Division of Labor claiming they failed the duty to “bargain in good faith.” The Marblehead negotiations are being overseen by a state-appointed mediator.

“We are trying everything possible to settle a fair contract with all five MEA bargaining units by Monday night,” stated MEA President Jonathan Heller. “The kids need to be in school, but we also need to address the serious issues thrusting our schools into crisis.”