The continued Haverhill lecturers strike racked up a excessive price ticket Wednesday, as contract negotiations and picket traces continued for his or her third day.
Both the Haverhill Education Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association will every face a effective of $50,000, Essex County Superior Court Judge James Lang declared Wednesday, and will accrue $10,000 fines for every further day spent on strike.
Lang stated the fines had been supposed to “coerce compliance” from the unions, no matter whether or not a deal was reached.
The effective comes a day after the identical decide handed down an injunction ordering the college staff to return to their lecture rooms. Striking is illegitimate for public staff in Massachusetts underneath state legislation.
The educators have proven no intent to again down now. Union representatives said they may solely return to work if a tentative settlement is reached.
Negotiations between the college districts and union continued from 1 p.m. late into the night, a promising signal after days of begin and cease, contentious classes. Though the college district posted a message saying it might give updates “around 7 p.m.,” dad and mom had not acquired notification about whether or not colleges can be closed as of seven:30 p.m.
“Hopefully, we’ll have good news tonight,” MTA consultant Scott McLellan stated round 5 p.m.
Haverhill lecturers are calling for higher wages, adjusted security requirements and higher range and fairness insurance policies, amongst different calls for.
The Haverhill state delegation — State Reps. Andy Vargas, Linda Dean Campbell, Christina Minucci and Lenny Mirra; and Sen. Diana DiZoglio — posted a joint assertion in help of the lecturers, calling the rivalry across the negotiations “disheartening.”
“Currently, Haverhill ranks 251 out of 323 cities and towns in per pupil investment,” learn the assertion. “This is a result of deliberate and consistent lack of sufficient local appropriations for schools over many years. The unfortunate result is well documented — we have a tough time attracting and retaining educators and our schools lack the resources for maximum student achievement possible.”
The legislators urged the edges to strike a “fair deal.”
The picket line and a rally exterior of metropolis corridor remained crowded and upbeat all through the fourth day.
Malden lecturers additionally went on strike Monday over a contract dispute however settled their negotiations and returned to work Tuesday.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”