Classes for Andover students are canceled for Tuesday, the third day of canceled classes, as a teachers strike in the Massachusetts town continues.The announcement from the Andover School Committee came hours after an Essex Superior Court judge ruled that the union representing Andover educators will face incremental fines if teachers continue their strike, which began Friday. A court order states that if the strike did not end by 6 p.m. Monday, the Andover Education Association would be fined $50,000. The court order also states that if the strike remains ongoing by 3 p.m. Tuesday, the union will be fined another $60,000 and faces fines that will be increased by an additional $10,000 for every day the strike continues. For example, if the strike lasts through 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Andover Education Association will be fined $70,000 for that day and another $80,000 if the strike continues through 3 p.m. Thursday.Union members returned to the picket lines Monday morning and met for a brief solidarity rally on the Town Common, as classes were canceled while negotiations with the Andover School Committee continued. Following Saturday’s 14-hour session, the Andover School Committee had proposed 14% increases for teachers over the next four years, with a 23.4% increase for instructional assistants over the same time period. When negotiations resumed Sunday afternoon, the union presented a counter-proposal suggesting an 18% increase for teachers and a 34% increase for instructional assistants over four years.”If the School Committee accepted these wage proposals, our budget would be unsustainable and would result in layoffs. Accepting the AEA’s latest offer will have a meaningful negative impact on other parts of the school budget,” the school committee said in a statement.According to a statement from the union, “The School Committee claimed it was making its ‘last best offer’ and was willing to close schools if the AEA rejected it. The counter proposal was a devastating blow to our Instructional Assistants, who are left feeling disrespected and devalued by the employer.”After negotiations ended on Monday, the Andover Education Association said they are encouraged because negotiation with the School Committee are moving forward.Boxed breakfasts and lunches will continue to be provided at Bancroft Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Services for students will be provided by the town during the day, including a block party for middle and high school students at the Cormier Youth Center. Athletics and theater rehearsals will also continue, and parents are urged to reach out to the coaches and/or director for more information.Students who do not attend an Andover public school but rely on the transportation the school district provides will be picked up and dropped off as usual.
Classes for Andover students are canceled for Tuesday, the third day of canceled classes, as a teachers strike in the Massachusetts town continues.
The announcement from the Andover School Committee came hours after an Essex Superior Court judge ruled that the union representing Andover educators will face incremental fines if teachers continue their strike, which began Friday.
A court order states that if the strike did not end by 6 p.m. Monday, the Andover Education Association would be fined $50,000.
The court order also states that if the strike remains ongoing by 3 p.m. Tuesday, the union will be fined another $60,000 and faces fines that will be increased by an additional $10,000 for every day the strike continues.
For example, if the strike lasts through 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Andover Education Association will be fined $70,000 for that day and another $80,000 if the strike continues through 3 p.m. Thursday.
Union members returned to the picket lines Monday morning and met for a brief solidarity rally on the Town Common, as classes were canceled while negotiations with the Andover School Committee continued.
Following Saturday’s 14-hour session, the Andover School Committee had proposed 14% increases for teachers over the next four years, with a 23.4% increase for instructional assistants over the same time period. When negotiations resumed Sunday afternoon, the union presented a counter-proposal suggesting an 18% increase for teachers and a 34% increase for instructional assistants over four years.
“If the School Committee accepted these wage proposals, our budget would be unsustainable and would result in layoffs. Accepting the AEA’s latest offer will have a meaningful negative impact on other parts of the school budget,” the school committee said in a statement.
According to a statement from the union, “The School Committee claimed it was making its ‘last best offer’ and was willing to close schools if the AEA rejected it. The counter proposal was a devastating blow to our Instructional Assistants, who are left feeling disrespected and devalued by the employer.”
After negotiations ended on Monday, the Andover Education Association said they are encouraged because negotiation with the School Committee are moving forward.
Boxed breakfasts and lunches will continue to be provided at Bancroft Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Services for students will be provided by the town during the day, including a block party for middle and high school students at the Cormier Youth Center. Athletics and theater rehearsals will also continue, and parents are urged to reach out to the coaches and/or director for more information.
Students who do not attend an Andover public school but rely on the transportation the school district provides will be picked up and dropped off as usual.