Newton schools closed for 10th day, negotiations continue between city, striking teachers
NEWTON - Schools in Newton will be closed for a tenth straight day on Thursday as negotiations continue between the city and its striking teachers union.
On Wednesday, negotiations centered on pay raises for paraprofessionals. The school committee said it has offered a 52% raise over the life of the next contract to so-called Unit C workers. Those are paraprofessionals, support staff and behavioral therapists who work one-on-one with students. They say their starting salary is $27,000.
"I'm cold, I'm tired, and I'm ready for Unit C to be paid a fair wage," said Newton physics teacher Matt Anderson. "I started 23 years ago as a Unit C member starting at $17,000."
The city met with the union bargaining group at the education center to discuss the latest offer. At noon, more than 1,000 teachers held a rally outside and were joined by National Education Association President Becky Pringle.
"You are the people who have dedicated their lives to teaching and nurturing and loving and supporting other people's children," she told the crowd. "I believe you have the right to be able to have one job and take care of your own."
No deal was reached on Wednesday and school has been canceled on Thursday. It will be the tenth day students miss school because of the teachers strike, which is illegal in Massachusetts. The union has been fined $525,000 so far as of Wednesday.
"I just want to go back to school. We have nothing else to do anymore," said 7th grader Stella Hurvitz.
"It's just ridiculous. It's a long time to be talking and not coming to an agreement," said 7th grader Harper Josephson. "Like at least they're starting to talk now, but in the beginning, they just weren't talking at all."
The missed days must be made up by June 30. A meeting will be held Thursday night to discuss how to make up the missed days.
