Tentative deal reached to end teachers strike in Malden
MALDEN – A tentative agreement has been reached between the Malden teachers union and the city to end a strike.
Teachers in Malden went on strike Monday after lengthy negotiations with the school district stalled over the weekend. Schools were closed Monday and all after-school activities were canceled.
Tuesday will be a regular school day for all students and staff in the Malden Public Schools.
Details of the tentative agreement on a new three-year contract were not immediately released. Final approval will require ratification by Malden Education Association members and the School Committee.
MEA President Deb Gesualdo said the decision to strike was hard but will lead to better education in the city. "It was a very difficult moment for me. It was a very difficult moment for our educators," Gesualdo said. "But everything we do, our students are at the heart of what we do."
She says they hope they never have to take that kind of action again. Chair of the negotiation subcommittee Jennifer Spadafora echoing that statement, with both sides having the same goal.
"Every single one of us that sat around that table cares about this district, loves this district, wants to be in this district, wants to work in this district wants to live in this city," said Spadafora.
The decision to hit the picket lines Monday morning left families of more than 6,000 students scrambling to make alternative plans to start the week with no school.
The school district said negotiations lasted all day Sunday, but no agreement was reached. More negotiations were underway all day Monday into the evening. The tentative deal was announced at about 9 p.m. Monday.
"We are thrilled to have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that provides our teachers and other educators with competitive compensation for the incredibly important work they perform every day," Malden Public Schools Superintendent Ligia Noriega-Murphy said in a letter to families. "This agreement enables us to reopen the school doors on Tuesday, to welcome students and staff back into the buildings to resume great teaching and learning. We are eager to move forward together as a united school district, with a renewed commitment to serving the students and families of the Malden Public Schools."
Union members said they have lost teachers to other districts that offer more pay, causing staffing shortages and overcrowded classes.
"This is a small amount of discomfort for what I know will be a long-term benefit for Malden because we'll be able to retain the quality educators we have and we'll be able to attract new educators with what we think will be a desirable package of benefits," said Dr. Douglas Dias, a grade 6-12 S.T.E.M. teacher and union negotiator.
"We've had a lot of teachers and administrators that we've trained and grown here in Malden and they've left to go to other districts that have higher pay, better working conditions, and they were really sad to have left this amazing community," high school teacher Chris Giordano.
According to the Malden School Department, the city offered teachers and administrators a 4% raise during the first year, and supporting staff would see a 24% raise.
Haverhill teachers also began a strike Monday morning. School will be canceled in Haverhill on Tuesday.