The week-long lecturers’ strike in Woburn is coming to an finish on Sunday, because the lecturers have reached a “tentative agreement” with the mayor and School Committee.
Schools shall be reopening for all college students on Monday, in keeping with the School Committee and Mayor Scott Galvin.
“The agreement provides educators with a fair contract that also aligns with the best interests of the district and residents of Woburn,” the town officers stated in a press release. “Most importantly Woburn Public Schools will be capable to resume offering a high-quality training to our 4,200 college students.
“Mayor Galvin and the School Committee recognize that these negotiations have been lengthy and time-consuming, and wish to thank the community for its patience and understanding,” the town added.
The Woburn Teachers Association’s ratification vote is about for Sunday night time after all-day negotiations led to a return-to-work settlement.
“The WTA is proud to announce a contract that significantly increases the pay for our essential Education Support Professionals,” WTA President Barbara Locke stated in a press release. “We are also pleased to announce a contract for our teachers that creates a more competitive wage and slightly lowers class sizes for grades 4 and 5. However, more work remains to be done.”
The Woburn Teachers Association, School Committee and mayor reached a tentative settlement on monetary packages for instructor and paraprofessionals on Friday night time. But there was a hold-up over a requested $250,000 cost to the town as a part of a return-to-work settlement.
The mayor had directed the lecturers union to pay $250,000 to the town as reimbursement for his or her week-long strike. The metropolis needed to pay for each day police particulars at Woburn faculties at roughly $95,000, has continued to supply lunch to college students, and has incurred unplanned administrative and authorized prices.
The Woburn Teachers Association on Sunday agreed to pay the town $225,000 and likewise to offer $20,000 to native charities as a part of the return-to-work deal.
“There were expenses that we incurred due to the strike,” the mayor instructed reporters. “And it was my duty and the Committee’s duty to make sure that we recoup those for the taxpayers.”
Under state regulation, it’s unlawful for public workers to go on strike and the Woburn Teachers Association’s resolution to defy a Jan. 27 Superior Court order to return to work has already resulted in roughly $90,000 in fines.
The Commonwealth Employment Relations Board filed a “verified complaint and a motion for preliminary injunction” towards the Massachusetts Teachers Association on Thursday, ordering it to cease encouraging the strike in Woburn.
The lecturers’ strike in Woburn comes after latest strikes in Brookline, Haverhill and Malden.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”