After one other day of failed contract negotiations Sunday, Woburn colleges can be closed Monday because the district’s educators take to picket strains.
“We could’ve gotten this contract settled tonight,” stated Woburn Teachers Association President Barbara Locke in an announcement after negotiations ended round 6:20 p.m. Sunday. “Unfortunately their reckless refusal to continue negotiations tonight means the planned strike will start on Monday, January 29.”
The WTA voted to go on strike within the coming week Friday if a deal couldn’t be reached over the weekend. WTA and Woburn School Committee representatives resumed negotiations at 10 a.m. Sunday in a final ditch effort to maintain children in courses however failed to succeed in an settlement.
The WTA, comprised of about 550 lecturers and college workers, has been with out a contract for the reason that earlier one expired in August.
“The Committee remains firmly committed to bargaining in good faith with the WTA and working toward a resolution that is fair to all stakeholders and ensures high-quality education for the students of Woburn” the School Committee wrote in an announcement Friday. “Illegal work stoppages do not help either party in achieving that goal.”
The WTA stated they have been keen to “continuing bargaining all night until a resolution was reached,” and famous explicit sticking level.
“The Mayor and School Committee showed a complete unwillingness to negotiate the paraprofessional contract or offer them a living wage,” Locke wrote.
The WTA previously listed priorities together with the elevate for paraprofessionals, elementary faculty bodily training courses twice every week, smaller class sizes, better compensation for educators and compensation for all workdays. These provisions, they argued, are key to “attracting and retaining qualified, dedicated educators and support professionals.”
The district itemizing for full-time particular training paraprofessionals’ beginning wage is $22,621. The state lists the typical Woburn trainer’s wage as $84,510 for 2020, about even with the state common.
In an announcement Friday, the Committee stated it filed a authorized grievance towards the union for contemplating the strike final Tuesday and are ready for a judgement. Under state legislation, it’s unlawful for public workers in Massachusetts to go on strike and will lead to hefty fines.
After a week-long strike in October, the Haverhill lecturers union was fined $110,000 and the MTA $50,000, along with the a whole bunch of hundreds paid to town for damages. Following a number of strikes all through 2022, the MTA has listed getting the anti-strike legislation overturned as a legislative precedence this yr.
Woburn lecturers will kind picket strains Monday morning and contract negotiations are scheduled to renew at 9:30 a.m.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”