Schools are closed in two Massachusetts cities on Friday as teachers go on strike. Teachers in Beverly and Gloucester plan to picket as they continue to negotiate a new contract.

Well, they’ve been in negotiations without a contract since February – and have reached an impasse.

So instead of being in the classrooms today, teachers will be picketing outside these schools.

In Gloucester, they’re looking for an 18-25% raise over the course of a new contract, and up to 52 days of paid parental leave, among other issues.

But Gloucester’s mayor says the city is facing up to a $7 million budget shortfall, and it’s impossible to give teachers everything they’re asking for.

Meanwhile in Beverly, teachers say they’re underpaid, schools are understaffed, classrooms are overflowing, and teachers are burned out and heading to other districts.

The Department of Labor Relations is now involved, and so negotiations will be through a mediator going forward.

“None of us wants to do this, but at this point we have no choice,” said Julia Brotherton, of the Beverly Teachers Association. “Beverly schools are in crisis. Critical paraprofessional positions regularly go unfilled because the city pays only poverty wages.”

The Beverly School Committee said in a statement, “We want to make it clear that the School Committee does not condone the illegal actions of the Beverly Teachers Association…We understand that this is a severe disruption to the lives of our students and families…”

Meanwhile, Gloucester has a playoff football game Friday night that could be in jeopardy and might not happen due to the strike. We should find out later in the day whether that will happen.

Students will be out of the classroom in two Massachusetts school districts on Friday after teachers in a pair of North Shore communities voted to go on strike.

Teacher unions in Beverly and Gloucester voted overwhelmingly Thursday to authorize a strike amid ongoing contract negotiations with their respective school committees.

The Beverly School Committee is allowing athletics, theater and band rehearsals, and field trips to continue for as long as the dispute persists, while all school-related activities in Gloucester will be shut down, per district officials.

“None of us wants to do this, but at this point, we have no choice,” Beverly Teachers Association co-president Julia Brotherton said at a press conference Thursday evening. “Beverly schools are in crisis. Critical paraprofessional positions regularly go unfilled because the city pays only poverty wages.”

The Beverly School Committee filed a petition with the state Department of Labor Relations earlier this week “to dissuade educators from a strike vote,” Chairwoman Rachael Abell wrote in a letter to the community.

“We want to make it clear that the School Committee does not condone the illegal actions of the BTA,” Abell wrote. “We will work with state officials to minimize the disruption to our students’ education and we urge all teachers and staff to return to school. We call on the BTA to end their illegal strike and join us in working with the mediator to negotiate in good faith.”

Gloucester High School students walked out of class Thursday “to demonstrate support for their educators,” the student newspaper, The Gillnetter, reported. Roughly 98% of educators voted to go on strike, the union stated.

Gloucester School Committee Chairwoman Kathleen Clancy also slammed teachers in her district for deciding to skip class for the picket line, saying the committee has asked the state Department of Labor Relations to halt the strike.

“Teachers are essential employees who our children depend on for learning and safety during the school day,” Clancy wrote. “An illegal labor action will cause direct harm to students by forcing many to stay home without a parent or guardian able to care for them, removing access to mental health service options, and limiting students’ abilities to secure warm meals.”

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WFSB) – Part of I-90 westbound is currently closed in Chicopee, Massachusetts due to a brush fire.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation says the brush fire is north of I-90 at mile marker 50.

Traffic is currently being detoured off of I-90 westbound at exit 51.

They warned drivers that due to wind gusts, lane closures may fluctuate to keep drivers safe.

Closures may also be necessary on I-90 eastbound.

Copyright 2024 WFSB. All rights reserved.