NEWTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Public school teachers gathered with supporters in Newton Friday, taking to the picket line one day after voting to authorize a strike over unsuccessful contract negotiations with the city’s school committee.
Newton Teachers Association President Mike Zilles announced the strike Thursday evening. Newton city officials soon said schools will be closed, with all school-related events and activities postponed, until after the strike ends.
By 10 a.m. Friday, teachers holding signs had marched to West Newton Square in one of several demonstrations around the city. Near 1 p.m., at least 1,000 union members and their supporters attended a rally at City Hall.
“We need the political leaders of the city — the school committee, the city council — to stand behind us and say ‘Enough is enough Mayor Fuller,’” said Newton Teachers Association President Mike Zilles on Thursday, referencing Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.
“All of us want a competitive offer for our teachers and a sustainable contract,” Fuller separately said.
Newton teachers, school committee spar over contract demands
More than 1,100 Newton teachers and upward of 800 aides, administrators and support staff have been working without a contract since their previous agreement expired at the end of August.
In discussing a new deal, union members have asked for higher pay raises, parental leave for all educators and the hiring of more social workers to address student mental health.
“We have been working for 15 months to get a contract and there’s just nothing else that we can do to get heard and to get people to sit down and negotiate with us,” said Newton Public Schools teacher Anne Carey, noting negotiations that began before the last union contract expired. “It’s the last thing we’ve got.”
“We have the same expenses as anyone else and yet the starting salary for our Unit C people is $26,000 a year for a full time employee,” Carey said.
Zilles has claimed the city is sitting on $55 million it could tap into to help pay for key union asks. But Fuller on Thursday night said that is not the case, telling reporters “the one-time monies have already been allocated and put to use.”
Fuller spoke moments after Zilles’ strike announcement, saying the move marked “a sad day here in Newton.”
Fuller, who previously spoke out against a then-rumored strike authorization vote, further reiterated her position.
“The adults belong at the negotiating table,” she said. “The students belong in the classroom.”
Newton teachers strike follows other similar actions
Though strikes are illegal among public employees in Massachusetts, several teachers unions around the state have authorized strikes in recent years, with strikes moving forward in communities including Brookline, Malden, Haverhill, Woburn and Andover.
“It’s the only way that educators have to get a contract,” said retired Brookline teacher Robert Miller on Friday.
In Brookline and Malden educators and school committee negotiators inked tentative agreements after one-day of picketing and emergency talks.
Strikes in Haverhill, Woburn, and Andover lasted longer, forcing three days of school closures in Andover, four days of closures in Haverhill and five days of closures in Woburn.
Teachers unions that strike in defiance of state law can and have faced court orders and fines for their actions, though penalties have varied.
With 22 schools and a combined enrollment of more than 11,700, according to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Newton Public Schools is the largest Massachusetts district to face a teacher strike since before 2022.
Brookline’s schools have just over 7,000 students. Haverhill schools have roughly 7,900 students. Enrollment in Malden, Andover and Woburn schools ranges from roughly 6,300 to just over 5,400 and 4,400, respectively.
Reactions pour in after Newton strike vote
In Newton, while word of a looming strike vote spread this week, city officials warned parents and the Newton School Committee filed a “strike petition” with the state Department of Labor Relations to request an investigation.
In her latest update Thursday night, Newton Public Schools Superintendent Anna Nolin said she is “heartbroken that the failure of negotiations has led to this moment.”
Other city officials also reacted, with School Committee Chair Chris Brezski arguing the city’s most recent contract offer is competitive compared to neighboring cities and towns.
“There will emerge no winners from this, only losers,” Brezski said of the strike. “And our kids will lose the most.”
While teachers picketed, Fuller spoke again on Friday.
“Our children belong in their classrooms,” she told reporters. “And that’s why strikes are illegal in Massachusetts.”
As some criticized the Newton Teachers Association’s strike, others rallied in support of the union.
Some parents speaking with 7NEWS on Thursday night said they backed the strike.
As teachers massed in cold weather on Friday, some parents and young children brought snacks and warm drinks.
Student Oliver Player made signs for his teachers
“They work hard,” said Player’s mother, Alison Player. “They deserve it.”
“It’s a lot of things that they need for the school to work well for our kids,” Alison continued.
Student Maggie Brousal-Glaser blamed Fuller for the impasse.
“The blame is on her,” Brousal-Glaser said. “The blame is on the school committee. 100%.”
More than two dozen unions representing educators across the state issued a joint statement Thursday, saying they “stand in solidarity” with Newton educators.
“We condone the withholding of their labor and encourage the members of the Newton Teachers Association to remain steadfast in their demands for a fair and just contract,” the unions said.
Come Friday morning, US Rep. Ayanna Pressley issued her own statement in support of the Newton Teachers Association.
“Our educators are on the front lines – pouring into our students, contributing to our communities, and strengthening our democracy – and they deserve a contract that reflects both the value of their labor and their humanity,” Pressley said.
Newton superintendent promises updates for families, grab and go meals during strike
While the current strike continues, Nolin said the Newton Public Schools will offer grab and go meals to families “similar to what we did during COVID.”
Nolin also promised further updates to families, saying she will notify families no later than 7:30 p.m. each night whether there will be school the next day.
Nolin said there is a roughly $10 million gap between the city’s latest offer and what the teachers are asking for.
Parties were scheduled to meet again for negotiations on Friday. Though educators speaking with 7NEWS said they were hopeful, there was no update on the status of talks as of around 4 p.m.
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